SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India is in the final stages of negotiations to secure a deal for license manufacturing of the F-414 engine in the country. The engine, to be manufactured in Bangalore by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will be utilized for the Tejas MkII program. However, India is also keen on reaching an agreement for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, aiming to develop a new high-thrust engine capable of generating 110-120kN class of thrust.
India has been engaged in talks with several international players, including British Rolls Royce, French Safran, and American GE, for the joint development of a new engine that will be locally produced. The objective is to secure more core technology transfer as the development would largely be funded by India.
Insiders familiar with the matter have revealed that multiple-level talks have been concluded, and India is now expected to issue a tender for all three companies to submit their formal proposals for the engine development project. The contract is estimated to be worth around 15,000 crores and will be awarded after negotiations on technical aspects and workshare agreements.
The AMCA program, awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), is likely to receive the necessary funding approval later this year. However, a separate CCS clearance will be required for the engine deal, which will be granted once the international partner is selected following negotiations. The process of selecting a new engine partner will commence once the AMCA program is officially granted CCS clearance. However, it may take an additional 3-4 years before the program is initiated, and another 7-8 years before the engine is ready for development ground and flight trials. As per the current timeline, the trials are projected to commence around 2032-33.
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