With the Joe Biden administration giving the go-ahead for GE Jet Engines. A global leader in military jet engines, to manufacture 98 kilo-newton thrust GE-414 engines in India. In partnership with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and a yet-to-be-identified private defence equipment maker, India and the US will advance their defence cooperation. The LCA (light combat aircraft) Mark II, will be released by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) early next year. It will enter service by the end of 2024. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, which is currently under development with twin engines, will be therefore, powered by the India-specific GE-414 INS6 engine.
US wants India to avoid Russia?
The Biden administration looks to wean New Delhi away from Russia and oppose China. US and India intend to exchange cutting-edge defence and computer technologies. Which includes the potential for collaborative manufacture of General Electric Co. jet engines.
The US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies’ specifics, were made public on Tuesday. It supports Washington’s overall objective of enhancing military, technological, and supply-chain ties with allies.
According to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the geopolitical problems faced by Moscow or Beijing won’t be the only factors influencing the framework. He also went on to say that China’s assertive economic and military policies have “profoundly influenced the thinking in Delhi.”
Sullivan on Tuesday said, US officials are considering GE’s request for permission to authorize cooperative production of jet engines for Indian jets. He also added that the nations are striving for “rapid and ambitious progress,.” However, he wouldn’t speculate on when an announcement will happen.
India’s plans
For the Indian Air Force, India intends to construct more than six squadrons (each squadron has 18 aircraft). It also intends to export the fighter to other interested nations.
The twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) being developed by ADA, the nodal agency under DRDO for the development of LCAs. It will further be powered by the GE-414 engine. At the end of this decade, the fighter is anticipated to start flying, with its naval counterpart using aircraft carriers.
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