SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is exploring the possibility of inviting private sector companies to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the F-404 engines powering its Tejas Mk1A fighter jet fleet. This move comes as the IAF plans to place orders for over 97 more Tejas Mk1A jets by the end of the year.
Currently, the F404-IN20 engines, which are directly imported from GE Aerospace, are exclusively maintained by the IAF. However, with the expansion of the Tejas fleet, the IAF is considering outsourcing engine maintenance to private sector companies. This could involve the IAF procuring spares and consumables directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), while HAL, the manufacturer of the Tejas Mk1A, would not have a direct role in engine maintenance.
The IAF plans to raise a fleet of nearly 200 Tejas Mk1A and Mk1 jets in the next 7-8 years. This significant expansion will require the IAF to maintain over 250 F404-IN20 engines to ensure high operational readiness. The existing squadron-level MRO facilities may not be sufficient to handle such a large number of engines.
Allowing private sector companies to establish MRO facilities for the F-404 engines could provide the IAF with additional capacity and expertise. It could also lead to cost savings and improved efficiency in engine maintenance. Moreover, it could create opportunities for the growth of India’s private aviation sector.
The decision to open up the F-404 engine MRO to the private sector is still under consideration, and the IAF will need to carefully evaluate the potential benefits and challenges before making a final decision. However, this move could have far-reaching implications for the Indian defence industry and the future of the Tejas fighter jet program.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.