HAL Refutes Report on GE414 Engine Deal, Says Talks Are on Track

By A Staff Reporter

Bengaluru – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has issued a strong rebuttal to recent media reports suggesting that its negotiations with General Electric (GE) for the local production of GE414 engines have stalled. The company called the claims “factually incorrect and misleading,” and confirmed that talks with GE remain on track.

In an official statement, HAL clarified that there is no shift in its engagement with GE and no parallel negotiations are being held with any other engine manufacturer for powering the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2. The clarification came in response to an online article that speculated a breakdown in talks and hinted at HAL exploring other vendors.

"HAL would like to clarify that this report is factually incorrect and misleading. HAL reiterates that negotiations with GE are on track and progressing well, and HAL is not in talks with any other company regarding engines for LCA MK2," the company stated.

The GE414 engine is crucial for the LCA Mk2 program, a next-generation indigenous fighter jet project under India’s expanding defence modernization efforts. The collaboration between HAL and GE for local production is part of the broader strategy to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.