Historic Agreement: GE Aerospace Signs MoU with HAL

Historic Agreement: GE Aerospace Signs MoU with HAL for Production of Fighter Jet Engines for IAF

Ira Singh
22 June’23

In a groundbreaking development, General Electric (GE) Aerospace, a renowned global leader in aviation technology, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defense company. The MOU establishes a collaborative partnership for the production of fighter jet engines to be utilized by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

This historic agreement marks a significant step forward in India’s quest to enhance its indigenous defense capabilities and promote self-reliance in the aerospace sector. The partnership between GE Aerospace and HAL will enable the production and maintenance of cutting-edge fighter jet engines in India, fostering technological advancements and bolstering the country’s defense manufacturing ecosystem.

GE Aerospace stated that the agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India, and GE Aerospace continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorisation for this.

Apart from the jet engine transfer technology and purchase of high-altitude MQ-9 Reaper drones, there are reports suggesting that the US is also mulling offering the “Stryker” family of eight-wheeled armoured fighting vehicles and upgradation of M777 light weight howitzers to India.If the deal goes through, it will be one of the significant components of the India-US defence cooperation, which will also likely see the inking of a deal with Micron for a $ 2.7 billion chip plant in India and a pact on quantum computing and artificial intelligence, according to sources.

The fighter jet engines produced through this collaboration will be tailored to meet the stringent requirements of the IAF, ensuring superior performance, reliability, and operational efficiency. This strategic partnership is expected to reduce dependence on imports and contribute to the “Make in India” initiative, fostering economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement in the country.

On the morning of June 21, in a remarkable display of unity and mindfulness, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a celebration of International Yoga Day at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday and called on people “to join hands together to realize the goal of one earth, one family, one future.”The United Nations in 2014 declared June 21 the International Day of Yoga, adopting a measure proposed by Modi.The event was a testament to the global recognition and acceptance of yoga as a holistic approach to health and spiritual harmony.