GE Aerospace and HAL Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership

GE Aerospace has played a significant role in building India's defence sector over the past 40 years. Since 1985, when the company first began discussing opportunities with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the partners have nurtured an enduring alliance that continues to grow. GE Aerospace now provides the Indian military with globally proven aircraft and marine engines, avionics, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Meanwhile, an increasing amount of engineering, manufacturing, and material sourcing for this work is taking place in India. It's a highly valued relationship that benefits both countries, economically and beyond.

A PARTNERSHIP FORGED IN COLLABORATION

"It's not just a business thing — there is a higher purpose and mission to the work we do with HAL," says Shawn Warren, Vice President and General Manager of combat and trainer engines at GE Aerospace. "India is a strategic partner to the US in the Pacific region, and our relationship with HAL supports that broader global relationship."

The American and Indian companies have worked collaboratively from the very beginning. "We've never had a customer-supplier relationship," says Rahul Gadre, the Bengaluru-based sales director for military engines and systems at GE Aerospace. "It's more of a partnership — a joining of hands." Although GE Aerospace is also working with private-sector partners in India, Gadre explains, the relationship with HAL is foundational. "HAL is the backbone for defence in India," he says. "They have experience and expertise from the past 85 years. They literally started from scratch to develop an incountry aerospace industry."

GE Aerospace has so far delivered 65 F404 engines for the LCA Mk1 programme, and another 99 are on order for the LCA Mk1A variation. Meanwhile, the company's higher-thrust F414-GE-INS6 afterburning turbofan has been selected to power the next-gen LCA Mk2, which has increased range, and for the prototype development, testing, and certification of fifthgeneration fighter jets — the most advanced class of military jets flying to date — for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The first AMCA jets will be twin-engine aircraft, and initially each will be powered by two F414s.

STRENGTHENING BONDS FOR A NEW ERA

In a groundbreaking agreement announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the United States in June 2023, GE Aerospace and HAL are now working towards joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India.

According to Dr D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, "Our collaboration with GE Aerospace integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as additive manufacturing, advanced materials, and digital design techniques, into India's aerospace sector. These advancements enable HAL to manufacture state-of-the-art defence products, further boosting the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces."