SOURCE: AFI
General Electric Aerospace has attributed the delays in delivering critical components for the F-404 engines, intended for India’s Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, to a South Korean firm involved in the supply chain that closed downed. This revelation comes as a major setback for the Indian Air Force’s modernization plans.
South Korea, which assembles GE’s F404-GE-102 turbofan engines and produces parts under license, has been facing significant challenges. The F404-GE-102 is a variant of the F404 engine that powers the T-50 Golden Eagle, a joint venture between Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin.
In 2016, GE granted Korean companies the right to domestically produce parts for the F414-GE-400 engine. However, recent reports suggest that one of these Korean firms went bankrupt, further exacerbating the supply chain issues and potentially impacting GE’s operations.
While GE has refrained from publicly naming the specific Korean firm, the implications of this situation are far-reaching. The delay in engine deliveries could significantly impact the production timeline of the Tejas Mk1A, a crucial fighter jet for the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force has been closely monitoring the situation and is working with GE to find alternative solutions to mitigate the impact of these delays. However, the long-term consequences of this supply chain disruption remain uncertain.