India will have 20 jet engines by next year, HAL Chairman said – General Electric has already made the promise.:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman DK Sunil on Thursday expressed confidence that US company General Electric will increase the supply of engines for MK-1A fighter aircraft and 12 engines are expected to be delivered by the end of this financial year.

The Tejas fighter aircraft is powered by the GE-404 engine.

HAL has met with General Electric's top management and is regularly sharing a significant amount of information. GE has promised to supply 20 engines next year. The Tejas fighter aircraft is powered by the American company's GE-404 engine.

"We are increasing production capacity. GE promised us 12 engines a year. But now, we'll probably get 12 engines by the end of the fiscal year. We might get 10 this year. The rest will arrive by March. We've already built the 10th aircraft, and the 11th is ready. They're now aligning their supply chain," DK Sunil said in an interview.

The current issues have now been resolved – the company

"The current problems have now been resolved. GE officials are regularly sharing information about the engine's status and problems. We are confident they will now be able to increase production to meet our needs," he said.

French engine not considered for Mk-2 fighter jets

HAL Chairman DK Sunil said there has been no discussion on French engines for the Mk-2 aircraft and India's indigenously developed advanced fighter aircraft has been designed around the GE-414 engine.

He dismissed media reports that India was considering French engines. He said that talks with the American company General Electric were in advanced stages. The impasse caused by the US imposing tariffs on Indian goods would not affect the talks with GE.