GE Aerospace on Tuesday announced that it has made significant progress with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in putting together a collaboration to co-produce F414-INS6 jet engines to power LCA Tejas Mk-2 and other future combat jets.

The F414-INS6 is expected to offer significant power boost of 98 kN thrust compared to the F404 which provides 78-85 kN thurst on the LCA Mk1 variant. Sources said the US has agreed to more than 80 per cent technology transfer for the co-production of the GE-F414 afterburning turbofan engine in the 98 kN thrust class in India.

The finalisation on technical matters took place following a GE delegation led by Vice President Sales & Business Development Rita Flaherty visited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bengaluru last week to meet CMD Dr D K Sunil, Ravi K, Director (Operations) and senior leadership to discuss progress on the GE F404 engines and ongoing discussions on the GE F414 programme.

Nearly three years ago, GE Aerospace had signed an agreement with HAL to co-produce F-414 fighter jet engines in India.

The two sides have been engaged in talks since then to firm up various aspects of the programme.

“GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are pleased to announce significant progress regarding F414 co-production today, having reached agreement on technical matters,” the GE Aerospace said.

“This agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic growth and advancing cooperation for both India and the US and expands the 40-year partnership between GE Aerospace and HAL,” it said.

The deal is likely to signed later this year after the commercial negotiations gets over.

The engines are expected to power future variants of the Tejas Mk2 and potentially India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), forming a critical component of the country’s push for defence indigenisation.

The partnership builds on over four decades of cooperation between GE and HAL, including the supply of F404 engines that power the current fleet of LCA Tejas. The proposed co-production of F414 engines is also seen as a cornerstone of deeper India–US defence ties, aligning with broader strategic and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Published on April 14, 2026