Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Independence Day address to direct a national push for designing and developing indigenous fighter jet engines.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has taken delivery of two GE-404 engines for Tejas Mk 1A aircraft and anticipates a further 12 engines by the end of the fiscal year to keep the Light Combat Aircraft programme on schedule.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation officials are evaluating technology-transfer and joint-production proposals from global engine makers including Safran, Rolls-Royce and GE to accelerate prototype powerplant development.
• HAL plans to induct 180 upgraded LCA Tejas Mk 1A jets over the coming years while the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project enters its execution phase with interim foreign engines powering early prototypes.
• Complementary indigenisation efforts span from AK-203 assault rifle localisation at Amethi, slated for full indigenous production by December, to the commissioning of two domestic stealth frigates and the recent induction of the INS Vagsheer submarine.