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After diplomatic tensions stalled deliveries, GE has resumed supplying F-404 engines to HAL for LCA Tejas jets. Improved political relations signal hope for timely defense project execution and cooperation.
GE engine deal and delay in LCA Tejas project: Impact of India-US relations
New Delhi: The impact of the ongoing diplomatic tussle between India and the US is now clearly visible in the defense sector as well. The supply of aviation engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from the US company GE had slowed down considerably.
However, now the situation has improved a bit, and the third F-404 engine has reached India. It is believed that the fourth engine can also arrive by the end of this month.
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In the year 2021, the Government of India had signed an agreement with HAL to manufacture 83 LCA Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets. The total cost of this deal is around ₹48,000 crores.
For this, a deal was made to buy 99 F-404 engines from the US company GE, out of which the first 12 engines were to be delivered to India by 2025-26. But only three engines have been received so far.
The US claimed that the delay was due to disruption in the global supply chain. However, in India it is believed that political reasons are more responsible for this. Allegations against India regarding the conspiracy to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, Operation Sindoor and Trump calling India a ‘dead economy’.
These incidents increased tension in India-US relations, which also affected GE’s delivery.
After Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to China, former US President Donald Trump has praised India for the third consecutive time. After this, GE delivered the third engine. This indicates that defense agreements can also gain momentum if the political equation improves.
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HAL has so far prepared 10 versions of Tejas Mark-1A. But due to a delay in engine supply, the pace of the project has been slow. This month, the firing test of LCA is to be conducted, in which the indigenous Astra missile and short-range air-to-air missile will be fired. After this, two Tejas aircraft will be handed over to the Air Force.
Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has expressed displeasure over this delay. For this reason, Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office PK Mishra visited HAL's Bengaluru facility in July and reviewed the LCA project.
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The Defense Ministry last month approved the purchase of an additional 97 indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft for the Air Force. This move is a big sign towards a self-reliant India, even though some dependence on American engines remains.
The political tussle between India and America was not limited to diplomacy, but it also affected defense projects. However, now there are signs of improvement in the environment, and engine delivery from GE has started again. If this pace continues in the coming months, HAL will be able to deliver Tejas aircraft to the Air Force on time.
