India and the United States have reached a breakthrough agreement on the transfer of jet engine technology, marking the first such high-end military technology collaboration between the two countries, according to government and defence sources.
Officials familiar with the development said nearly 80 per cent of the manufacturing technology and intellectual property rights for the F-414 jet engine, developed by General Electric, will be transferred to India.
The agreement has been worked out between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on key technical aspects of co-producing the engine domestically. Sources indicated that a final commercial contract is likely to be signed later this year.
The F-414 engine will power the upcoming Tejas Mark-2 fighter jet, a more advanced variant of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft programme. The current Tejas Mark-1A fleet uses the less powerful F-404 engine, also manufactured by GE.
Government sources described the development as a major step towards strengthening India’s push for defence indigenisation, particularly in the critical aerospace engine segment where technological access has been limited.
The agreement builds on the broader understanding reached between New Delhi and Washington in June 2023 on facilitating technology transfer and joint production of jet engines.
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The move is also expected to bolster the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities at a time when its fighter squadron strength remains below sanctioned levels.
The evolving defence partnership between the two countries has been underpinned by earlier frameworks such as the Industrial Security Agreement signed in 2019 and a 2021 protocol for sharing classified information between defence industries.
The latest progress follows high-level engagements between the two sides. Vikram Misri recently held talks with US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Mike Duffey at the Pentagon to advance cooperation in co-production and sustainment.
Following the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media platform X that the engagement aimed at advancing the India-US major defence partnership, with a focus on co-production and shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific.
Officials said the agreement reflects deepening strategic ties between India and the US, with both sides seeking to expand collaboration in advanced defence technologies.
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