Aerospace Diary

Defense India Advances LCA Engine, T-50 Fighter Programs Aviation Week & Space Technology Oct 11 , 2010 , p. 29 Robert Wall London Neelam Mathews New Delhi Fighter and engine talks spotlight India’s multifaceted defense industrial policy The Indian government’s commitment to buy 250-300 Russian T-50 fighters and its decision to acquire General Electric F414 engines for its ­Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) underscore its long-term plan to maintain a range of international partnerships. Russia and India have been in talks about cooperative development and production of the T-50—also known as PAK FA—for some time, with Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony now saying there are no more roadblocks to a deal going forward. “Within the next few months, the agreement will be signed. We have sorted out all issues and have found satisfactory agreements,” he said following a meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission. A draft of the T-50 contract is underway, adds...

Programs Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Oct 07 , 2010 , p. 02 Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI — Price negotiations will begin soon for 99 General Electric F414 fighter jet engines selected to power the Mk II version of the Indian Air Force’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) awarded the contract on Oct. 1, and it is expected to be signed in a few months (Aerospace DAILY, Oct. 1). The F414 engine was in the running along with the EuroJet EJ-200. The contract’s value cannot be confirmed until it is finalized, a Defense Research Development Organization spokesman says. “We could always go for more [engines],” he adds. The selection follows earlier GE engine buys for the Indian Air Force (IAF). In 2007, India purchased 24 F404 GE engines, and in 2004 the country bought 17 F404 engines to power a limited series of operational production aircraft and LCA naval prototypes. The F414-GE-INS6 is the highest-thrust F414 model. It boasts F...