HAL and GE Aerospace are currently in detailed discussions about transfer of technology of the GE F414-INS6 engine to India. (GE Aerospace)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has said that it is in detailed discussions with General Electric (GE) Aerospace about a major transfer of technology (ToT) of the GE F414-INS6 engine.
Speaking during Aero India 2025 on 11 February, D K Sunil, the chairman and managing director of HAL, said that the company is tackling the matter along two steps to ensure that a deal is achieved soon.
According to Sunil, an HAL team visited GE Aerospace's offices in Boston, Massachusetts, in early February 2025 to discuss an 80% ToT of the engine. The intention of the visit was to “tick off all the boxes [to achieve] clarity” about what technologies will be made available, he said.
Janes understands that both sides have not come to an agreement about which technologies HAL could receive. A GE Aerospace source told Janes on 11 February, on the condition of confidentiality, that “technical discussions are still being worked out and are under review by the two governments”.
During the latest meeting, “we have conveyed to the US side [our requirements]. All our queries have been given to them, and GE will send a team to discuss the matter with us by the end of the month”, Sunil added.
Following these additional discussions, GE Aerospace will get back to us with “some answers”. The following step, according to the CMD, is to initiate “negotiations for pricing”. If a deal is signed, the 22,000 lb thrust class engine will be used to power India's Tejas Mk2 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The engine could also power India's fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk1 variant.
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