New Delhi – The GE-HAL F-414 engine manufacturing agreement has delighted national security strategists and the military due to the engine’s remarkable performance.
This accomplishment, according to a report by HT, is especially noteworthy because it outperforms the WS-10 jet engine, which is made exclusively in China. Noteworthy is the fact that the WS-10 engine is a descendant of the Russian AL-31 series engine, which today powers the SU-30 MKI fighters.
The Hindustan Times has learned that the Shenyang WS-10 engine is currently used in some Chinese fighter aircraft, notably the J-20, according to information gathered from national security planners, former Indian Air Force officers, and fighter pilots.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), according to intelligence reports and assessments, may be having issues with these engines’ upkeep, downtime, and general performance.
China is now testing the WS-15 engine, which will be mounted on the J-20 aircraft, in an effort to resolve these problems. The fighter should have the capacity to “super cruise” at supersonic speeds without using the afterburner thanks to the WS-15 engine. This feature is essential for a fifth-generation stealth fighter since it lowers the plane’s heat signature.
The Chinese produced the WS-10 family of jet engines by reverse-engineering the Russian AL-31 engine, as is pretty obvious. The engine is having problems despite flying and performing, according to an Indian evaluation based on the performance of Chinese aircraft in Pakistan’s inventory and PLAAF aircraft. According to a former IAF chief, the Chinese have a tendency to exaggerate the capabilities of their planes through the state-run media.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) sent the J-20 fighters to the western theatre command at the height of the standoff in East Ladakh in retaliation for India’s purchase of Rafale jets. The J-20, billed as a fifth-generation fighter, has reportedly not seen much use during actual flying operations.
National security planners are happy with GE’s proposal to produce F-414 engines in India under a technology transfer agreement despite India’s fruitless attempts since 1996 to create its own indigenous engine. The Tejas Mark II fighter aircraft will be powered by these engines, which could be upgraded in the future to produce higher-thrust engines.
The Tejas Mark II demonstrator with the GE-414 engine has been created through cooperation between the Indian Air Force (IAF), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is anticipated that it would take to the skies in the upcoming year. Regarding the American GE-414 engine’s strong performance potential, everyone involved is in accord.
“While there is no denying that China is improving its ability to produce jet engines, no impartial air force would choose to purchase a WS-10 engine over another. The Pakistan Air Force’s Chinese-made jet aircraft experience downtime and serviceability concerns despite the opaqueness of the Chinese system. The Chinese engine would be 60% of what the PLAAF is presenting, despite the fact that they still rely on Russian planes to demonstrate their might against Taiwan, according to a top fighter pilot, even though the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
India and the US have been in talks since 2012 for a 100% Transfer of Technology (TOT) deal for the production of F-414 jet engines.
However, the arrangement with the Biden administration last month was ultimately obtained by the joint efforts of former DRDO and IAF chiefs under the leadership of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The deal has drawn attention in Washington and is frequently referred to as the “Doval Deal” because of the substantial contribution that Ajit Doval made to its successful conclusion.
