SOURCE: AFI
The recent delays in the supply of F404 engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A program by GE have reignited discussions about alternative engine options. While some have questioned if the Klimov RD-33 engine from Russia could have served as a viable backup plan, historical context reveals that the RD-33 was never a serious contender for the Tejas program.
The RD-33 engine, first used in the MiG-29A aircraft, has a well-documented history of safety issues. These included a high rate of engine flameouts in its early days, along with poor serviceability records. Furthermore, in the mid-1990s, the RD-33 lacked certification for single-engine operation, a critical requirement for the Tejas.
During the LCA program’s inception, India actively sought assistance from Western nations, specifically France, the United States, and Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, and GE. France offered a hybrid Flight Control System (FCS) combining digital and analog backup, while the US presented a more advanced full digital FCS and India decided to go with American offer and later Dassault pulled out.
By the early 1990s, the US emerged as a key partner for the LCA program. This collaboration led to the selection of the GE F404 engine. India received its first batch of 11 F404 F2J3 engines in 1995, just before its rollout ceremony with the first engine run conducted on the TD-1 prototype in 1998, followed by the LCa-TD-1s maiden flight in 2001.
The current delays with the F404 engine supply pose a challenge for the Tejas Mk1A program. While the RD-33 is not a suitable alternative, exploring options for future indigenous engine development, such as the Kaveri program, remains crucial for long-term self-reliance.