99 GE F414 Engines Set To Power India’s LCA Tejas

India has finalized a Rs. 3000-crore deal with the U.S for the supply of 99 jet engines for the indigenous Tejas aircraft being developed by the DRDO.

      GE was selected for the LCA Mark II program two years ago, which is expected to be ready by 2014-15, DRDO officials confirmed.

      Although the contract specifies an order for 99 engines initially a further 100 engines can be ordered anytime in the future.

      The GE F-414 engine, which is to be fitted in the LCA Mark II, is more powerful than the GE F-404 engines which were fitted in the first batch of LCAs that the IAF are yet to receive.

      The existing engine change in the LCA’s were initiated, after it was felt that the GE-404 engines were not providing enough power to the IAF aircraft, a fact that required the use of more powerful engines. The LCA Mk II is being developed by the DRDO to meet all AF requirements.

      It will have the latest technological equipment including the AESA radar and will be able to carry more payload than the LCA Mk I.

      Trials of the LCA Mk I were carried out recently in Pokharan desert firing range, where laser-guided bombs and other weapon systems were tried out.

      Current plans reveal that IAF will induct two LCA Mk I squadrons, followed by delivery of LCA Mk II aircraft.