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GE Aerospace, IAF to Build Tejas Engine Repair Hub in India

GE Aerospace has announced an agreement with the Indian Air Force to establish an in-country engine repair depot for the F404 engines that power the HAL Tejas fighter jets. The facility will be owned and operated by the IAF with technical support, spare parts, and training from GE Aerospace. This initiative aims to enhance India's self-reliance in defence maintenance and significantly reduce repair turnaround times. The partnership underscores GE's long-standing role in India's defence and aviation sectors.

Key Points: GE Aerospace & IAF to Set Up Tejas Engine Repair Facility in India

  • Boosts indigenous defence maintenance
  • Cuts engine repair turnaround time
  • Reduces reliance on overseas centres
  • Strengthens GE's footprint in India
2 min read

Make in India boost: GE Aerospace, IAF to set up engine repair facility in India for Tejas fleet

GE Aerospace partners with Indian Air Force to establish a domestic F404 engine repair depot for Tejas jets, boosting Make in India in defence.

"the partnership reflects the company's continued commitment to supporting India's armed forces - Rita Flaherty"

New Delhi, April 13

In a boost to Make in India, US-based aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace on Monday announced a new agreement with the Indian Air Force to set up an in-country depot facility for F404-IN20 engines that power the HAL Tejas fighter jets.

The upcoming facility will be established in India and operated by the Indian Air Force, with technical support from GE Aerospace.

The move is aimed at strengthening India's indigenous defence maintenance capabilities and reducing reliance on overseas repair centres.

Once operational, the depot is expected to significantly cut down the turnaround time for engine repairs and maintenance.

Under the agreement, the depot will be owned, operated, and maintained by the IAF. GE Aerospace will provide technical expertise, training, support staff, and ensure the supply of necessary spare parts and specialised equipment required for smooth operations.

Rita Flaherty, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Defence and Systems at GE Aerospace, said the partnership reflects the company's continued commitment to supporting India's armed forces.

Flaherty added that the new facility will help improve the availability of F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas fleet, ensuring that the IAF has timely access to advanced technology for its defence needs.

GE Aerospace also highlighted its broader presence in India's defence ecosystem. Its engines power several key platforms, including the Indian Navy's P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and MH-60R helicopters, as well as the Indian Air Force's AH-64 Apache helicopters.

In addition, LM2500 marine gas turbines from the company are used in the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and the P-17 Shivalik-class frigates.

The company has been part of India's aviation sector for more than four decades. Its Pune manufacturing facility, along with 13 domestic partners, is integrated into its global supply chain, further strengthening its footprint in the country.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good move, but we must ensure the knowledge transfer is complete. The IAF should own the expertise, not just the facility. We've seen partnerships where we remain dependent for critical tech. Let's hope this is different.
V
Vikram M
Excellent! Faster maintenance means more aircraft in the sky at any given time. This directly boosts our air power. GE has been a reliable partner. Now, we need to push for the next step - manufacturing the entire engine here someday.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows defence tech, this is a smart logistical decision. Building in-country MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) capacity is a force multiplier. It saves time and foreign exchange in the long run. A win for strategic autonomy.
R
Rohit P
Finally! Sending engines abroad for repair was a major bottleneck. This will improve serviceability rates of the Tejas significantly. Jai Hind! 🙏 Hope HAL and DRDO are learning from this collaboration for our own future engine programs.
K
Karthik V
A step in the right direction, but let's be clear - this is a repair facility, not manufacturing. The core technology and IP still lie with GE. We need to invest much more in our own R&D for aero-engines. This is a dependency, not independence.

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