Jet engine deal ensures 80% technology transfer to HAL; first engine in three years

The jet engine deal with U.S. is an “almost done” deal and will see 80% technology transfer by General Electric to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. “Except for a small component, the F-414-INS6 engine will entirely be manufactured in India.” “This trailblazing initiative to manufacture F-414 engines in India will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before,” the joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden said. Critical technologies Some of the key technologies that would be transferred to India include special coatings for corrosion; casting, machining and coating for Single Crystal for turbine blades; casting, machining and coating of nozzle guide vanes and other hot parts; blisk machining; forging/ power metallurgy discs for turbine; machining of thin walled titanium casing; friction inertia welding for fan and after burner; Polymer Matrix Composites for bypass polymer duct; Ceramic Matrix Composites for LPNGV, flaps; laser drilling technology for combustor; bottle boring of shafts. The whole idea behind the strategic trade dialogue is that we look at regulatory issues more in terms of finding ways to enable our technology cooperation.” Mr. Kwatra said that the Jet engine tech transfer deal was one of the “strong, strategic and shared priorities” for both PM Modi and President Biden.