US and India Strengthen Ties in GE Jet Engine and Civil Nuclear Technology Deals
US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are anticipated to make significant progress on the GE jet engine and civil nuclear technology deals during their bilateral talks. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan conveyed this expectation, as reported by Reuters.
Earlier this year, US General Electric (GE) established an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s government aerospace and defense manufacturing firm, to collaborate in manufacturing engines in India specifically for powering the Indian Air Force’s fighter jets.
President Biden departed for the 18th G20 Summit at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi following his departure from Andrew’s air base on Thursday.
Before embarking on the journey to India, President Biden stated on his social media account that he was headed to the G20 Summit to prioritize American interests, deliver for developing nations, and demonstrate commitment to the G20 as a forum for delivering tangible outcomes.
GE, a US-based company, had earlier this year initiated technology transfer to India to facilitate the indigenous production of jet engines. This collaborative agreement encompasses the potential joint manufacturing of GE Aerospace‘s F414 engines in India, as part of the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 program. The agreement further expands on GE Aerospace’s commitment to supplying 99 engines for the LCA Mk2 program. Additionally, GE will continue to collaborate with the Indian government on the AMCA Mk2 engine program.
On the commercial front, Air India recently announced the largest-ever aircraft purchase by an Indian airline. This includes 400 single-aisle and 70 twin-aisle planes powered by engines manufactured by GE and CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. This landmark deal signifies the recovery of the commercial aviation sector after years of setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
GE has also demonstrated its commitment to investing in India’s military sector by forging agreements with HAL. HAL has been assembling GE F404 engines that have powered each iteration of the Tejas, India’s light combat aircraft (LCA), derived from the same project.
In summary, the bilateral talks between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi hold substantial promise in terms of advancing the GE jet engine deal and civil nuclear technology, providing both nations with mutually beneficial opportunities. These collaborations are evident through GE’s technology transfer to India and its commitments to support the Indian Air Force’s military programs. Furthermore, the purchase of aircraft powered by GE engines by Air India symbolizes the recovery of the commercial aviation industry. The strengthening ties between the US and India are expected to bring forth numerous advantages in the fields of defense, aerospace, and energy technology.
