India, US Set to Conclude F-414 Jet Engine Production Agreement by Early 2025
India and the United States are poised to conclude a significant defense agreement by March 2025, enabling the joint production of advanced F-414 jet engines within India. This development, confirmed by Sunil Bharti, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), during an exclusive interview with PTI, signifies a substantial advancement in defense relations and technological collaboration between the two nations.
The initiative, initially announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington in 2023, had faced delays due to negotiations over technology transfer. However, Bharti revealed that discussions concerning the transfer of approximately 80 percent of critical technologies have been largely settled, with final commercial terms currently being negotiated. The agreement is anticipated to be signed within the current financial year.
The F-414 engine, a next-generation propulsion system, powers fighter jets in countries such as the United States, Sweden, and Australia, and will now be produced in India under this agreement. This marks a significant breakthrough, particularly considering the historically restrictive U.S. policies on exporting sensitive defense technologies.
The engines are intended to power India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 2 and the prototype of the forthcoming fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Tejas Mk2 will feature a higher thrust engine, increased payload, modern avionics, and electronic warfare systems, presenting a formidable upgrade over its predecessors. India plans to acquire around 180 Tejas Mk1A jets to replace its aging MiG-21 fleet at a cost of ₹1.15 lakh crore.
The AMCA, designed as a stealth, deep penetration fighter, will play a pivotal role in India's future air combat fleet alongside the Tejas variants. The collaboration with the U.S. on jet engines is expected to accelerate India's aerospace goals, enhancing its strategic autonomy and manufacturing ecosystem.
Simultaneously, HAL is progressing with other major defense initiatives, including a ₹62,700 crore contract to supply 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) 'Prachand' to the Indian armed forces. Prachand, India's first indigenously developed attack helicopter capable of operating at altitudes above 4,500 meters, is projected to reach full-scale production by 2028. Fifteen limited series helicopters have already been delivered to the military.
The helicopter will be equipped with anti-tank guided missiles, rockets, and air-to-air weapons, further augmenting India's indigenous combat capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The combination of the F-414 engine deal, Tejas Mk2, AMCA, and Prachand helicopter programs illustrates India's comprehensive strategy to modernize its air force and lessen its dependence on foreign platforms. The impending joint engine production deal with the U.S. serves as a cornerstone of this endeavor, heralding a new era in Indo-US defense cooperation.
