Latest news with #TejasMark-1A
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Engine received for indigenous Tejas Mark-1A, production set to accelerate
New Delhi: The production of India's indigenous fighter jet Tejas Mark-1A is set to gain momentum with the arrival of the GE-404 jet engine from the United States. This marks the second engine received from American manufacturer General Electric for the Tejas Mark-1A programme. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run aerospace company responsible for manufacturing the Tejas, is expected to receive a total of 12 GE-404 engines by the end of the current financial year. These engines will power the Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets, which have been ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF has placed an order for 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft, as it looks to strengthen its depleting fleet with homegrown fighter jets. The Air Force currently operates two squadrons of the earlier Mark-1 variant, stationed at the Sulur Airbase in Tamil Nadu. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has previously expressed concern over the delay in the delivery of the Mark-1A jets, citing the non-availability of engines as a key issue. HAL, too, acknowledged the delay and attributed it to the wait for imported engines. Now, with engine supplies resuming, deliveries of the new aircraft are expected to begin soon. The Mark-1A variant, an upgraded version of the LCA Tejas, is a key part of India's push for self-reliance in defence under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. The Ministry of Defence is working to make the LCA project the backbone of the Air Force, with plans underway to raise additional squadrons based on the aircraft. The Centre has already approved the procurement of 83 Mark-1A jets, with a proposal for 97 more under consideration. In total, 220 LCA Tejas aircraft are expected to gradually replace the ageing MiG-21, MiG-29, and Mirage fighters in the IAF fleet. Additionally, the government has greenlighted the development of the LCA Mark-2, also referred to as the Medium Weight Fighter, further expanding the indigenous fighter jet programme.
Economic Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
'Nuclear blackmail can't stop us from responding': India in its message to US on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism
India has firmly asserted its right to retaliate against terrorism, dismissing any constraints, including nuclear threats. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasized that there would be no impunity for terrorists or their state sponsors. Defence Minister Singh conveyed to the US that India reserves the right to preemptively strike against cross-border terror threats emanating from Pakistan. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'India reserves right to pre-empt terror threats' Jaishankar: India has every right to defend its people India has made it unequivocally clear to the United States that it will not let the threat of nuclear retaliation deter its right to act against Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warned that there will be no impunity for terrorists, nor for the governments that shelter and finance them."We are very clear that there will be no impunity for terrorists, that we will not deal with them any longer as proxies and spare the govt which supports and finances and, in many ways, motivates them. We will not allow nuclear blackmail to prevent us from responding" he said in the US, as quoted by ToI, in a blunt statement amid renewed Pakistani efforts to internationalise the so-called Kashmir has maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral dispute, and that New Delhi will not accept any third party firm messaging comes just days after Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir was hosted in Washington, prompting concern in New Delhi over Washington's engagements with Rawalpindi's military this backdrop, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also conveyed India's security red lines to the US, underscoring that India retains the right to act—pre-emptively if needed—against any cross-border terror threats emanating from a 20-minute phone conversation with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conveyed that India reserves the right to defend itself and to pre-empt future attacks from across the border, according to sources cited by reiterated that 'India's actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and focused' during Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).Singh also appreciated the United States' continued support for India's fight against terrorism, while urging faster movement on pending defence projects. These include the delivery of GE-F404 jet engines for the indigenous Tejas Mark-1A fighters, and the six Apache helicopters ordered in 2020, which are now expected to arrive by the end of the ministers also discussed enhancing operational cooperation, logistics sharing, and expanding joint military exercises as part of strengthening bilateral defence a press briefing during his ongoing visit to the United States, EAM S Jaishankar made a strong pitch for zero tolerance against terrorism, as reported by ET stated that India would continue to exercise its sovereign right to respond to terror threats and expects international partners to recognise that stance.'A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience. The world must display zero tolerance. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated. India has every right to defend its people against terrorism and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that,' Jaishankar said.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Reserve right to pre-emptive hits on terror, Rajnath tells US
NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday told the US that it reserves the right to respond and defend itself against terrorism as well as pre-empt and deter any further cross-border attacks from Pakistan, days after President Donald Trump effusively praised Pakistan army chief Asim Munir while hosting him at the White House. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a 20-minute telephonic conversation with US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth, defence minister also made it clear that India's actions were "measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and focused" on disabling terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and POK when it launched on May 7, sources told TOI. While India believes Pakistan has become a safe haven for terrorists as internationally banned terrorists enjoy immunity there, Trump had praised both Munir as well as PM Modi as "two very smart people" for ending May 7-10 hostilities. Deliver Tejas engines on priority, Rajnath tells US Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has continued with his rant against India, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to providing support to the Kashmiri people for their "legitimate struggle". Singh, on his part, told Hegseth that India appreciates the unwavering support extended by the US for its fight against terrorism. "On defence cooperation, the two agreed to further build upon the momentum of this critical and mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars such as interoperability, integration of defence industrial supply chains, logistics sharing, increased joint military exercises and cooperation with other like-minded partners," an official said. Singh asked Hegseth to ensure faster deliveries of the long-delayed General Electric GE-F404 engines for the indigenous Tejas-Mark 1A fighters as well as the early conclusion of the agreement to jointly produce the more powerful GE-F414 engines in India. The defence minister also pushed for the delivery of the six Apache heavy-duty attack helicopters that the Indian Army had ordered in a Rs 5,691 crore deal in Feb 2020 but is yet to get. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The six Apaches will now be delivered before this year ends," another official said. The almost two-year delay in delivery of 99 GE-F404 engines by US firm General Electric, which Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had ordered for Rs 5,375 crore in Aug 2021, is one of the main reasons for not even the first Tejas Mark-1A fighter to be delivered to the IAF yet. After the 83 "improved" Tejas Mark-1A jets are delivered under the defence ministry's Rs 46,898 crore deal inked with HAL in Feb 2021, another 97 of those jets for Rs 67,000 crore will also be in the pipeline.
India.com
09-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Pakistan and China; India to soon get latest 5th generation fighter jets, they will be..., Tejas to...
(Representational image) New Delhi: American company General Electric (GE) wants to join the race to make engines for India's 5th generation fighter aircraft. GE Chairman and CEO Larry Culp said this in an interview to ET. He said that India is a very important market for GE for both civil and defense aerospace business. Larry Culp said, 'We are very interested in this.' For this, he gave the example of making 404 engines for the indigenous Tejas aircraft. He said that there is a very strong relationship between India and America and that's why GE is here and is ready to help in every possible way. 5th generation indigenous fighter aircraft Just last month, India announced the plan to rapidly build 5th generation indigenous fighter aircraft. This announcement came a few days after Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The most important part of this aircraft will be its powerful engine. To make it, India can work with a foreign company. It is believed that for this work, GE will face competition from companies like Safran and Rolls-Royce. Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft Larry Culp has expressed his desire to do more work in India. GE is also increasing the delivery of jet engines for the Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This work has been stalled for a long time. In March, GE delivered the first of the 99 F-404 engines to HAL. This delivery was delayed by almost two years. Culp said, 'This is our intention and we have told this to everyone.' They are working closely with their suppliers so that they can make more engines. He said that good progress is being made in this matter. They have seen a good increase in engine deliveries in the months of April and May as compared to the first quarter. Demand and supply Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had recently expressed concern over the delay in the purchase of necessary military equipment and he had insisted on setting a time limit for this. Actually, the availability of military equipment and fighter jets is getting delayed because companies are not able to increase production. This causes difficulties for the armed forces in their preparation. Culp said that many steps are being taken to overcome this problem, but it will take time. He said that the demand is increasing every year, so the supply chain problem will remain for some time and it is a big challenge.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IAF's fifth-generation stealth fighter: US giant GE says ‘very interested' in making engines; to speed up jet engine delivery for Tejas Mark-1A
IAF's fifth-generation stealth fighter project: US' General Electric (GE) has said that it is 'very interested' in making engines for India's fifth-generation stealth fighter project. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It will compete to manufacture engines for the Indian Air Force's fifth-generation stealth fighter and advanced medium combat aircraft, GE chairman and CEO Larry Culp said. The aerospace giant views India as a key strategic market for both civilian and military aerospace operations, according to Culp. GE is also working to speed up delivery of F-404 jet engines to India's Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). GE says it has accelerated the supply of jet engines to HAL for the Tejas Mark-1A fighter programme, which has experienced significant delays. The company delivered its first F-404 engine from a total order of 99 units in March, approximately two years later than planned. "That is our intent and we've communicated that to everyone," Culp said. "We are working with the suppliers to ramp their capability. We're making good progress. I just look at April and May of this year compared to where we were in the first quarter—we've seen a double-digit increase in the number of receipts,' he told ET in an interview. India's 5th Generation Fighter Jet Project "We are very interested," Culp said. "If you look at what we're doing with the Tejas with our 404 engines, we are right in the middle of probably what matters most in that regard. The US and India enjoy a very strong relationship. So we are here, we want to be supportive and are engaged so we possibly can be." Also Read | India revealed its plans to expedite the development of a domestic fifth-generation stealth fighter last month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This announcement followed shortly after Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The development of a crucial high-thrust engine component is expected to proceed through collaboration with an international manufacturer. GE will encounter competition from other industry leaders, including Safran and Rolls-Royce. Tejas Mark-1A delays Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the IAF chief, has expressed worries regarding delays in acquiring essential military equipment. Production capacity limitations amongst manufacturers are causing setbacks in both defence programmes and commercial aviation deliveries. Culp indicated that despite implementing various measures to reduce the impact of delays, resolving supply chain issues will require additional time. "The progress we're achieving is substantial, both within GE and throughout the sector," he stated. "However, considering the yearly rise in demand projections, supply chain discussions will persist. This reflects our current position within a significant growth cycle." Also Read | GE intends to establish a civilian aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India when operational volumes reach suitable levels. "It's not a question of possibility but rather timing," he explained. "We need to ensure adequate market volume exists to justify such investment commitments." GE currently operates over 1,400 engines in India, which power both narrow and wide-body aircraft, with future orders amounting to approximately 2,500 units. "These figures clearly demonstrate India's significance as a key market for our operations," Culp remarked.
