THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
For years, India has struggled to build its own jet engines. The country has relied on foreign suppliers, which created problems whenever relationships soured or supplies were delayed. To solve this, India started negotiating with both the United States and France for technology transfer deals that would help it manufacture advanced jet engines at home.
The American Offer That Never Arrived
In June 2023, India and the United States signed an agreement for GE to transfer 80% of its F-414 jet engine technology to India. On paper, this looked promising. The F-414 is a proven engine used in many fighter jets worldwide, and an 80% technology transfer seemed generous by American standards.
However, nearly three years later, the deal still hasn’t been finalized. The negotiations have dragged on with no end in sight, though officials now hope to complete it by March 2026. Several problems emerged that made India question whether this partnership would ever deliver what it needed.
First, the United States has been extremely cautious about sharing what it considers “crown jewel” technology. Even with the 80% transfer promise, American regulations called ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) created layers of restrictions and required Congressional approval. India and the US couldn’t even agree on which specific technologies would be included in that 80% transfer. The Americans wanted to protect their most sensitive secrets, while India wanted enough knowledge to truly build engines independently.
Second, there were disagreements over pricing. Reports suggested that GE increased prices significantly during the negotiations, making the deal less attractive financially.
Third, and perhaps most damaging, was the issue of trust. GE had been contracted to supply F-404 engines for India’s Tejas fighter jets. These deliveries were delayed by more than 18 months, forcing India to impose financial penalties on the company. GE blamed a South Korean supplier for the problems, but the damage was done. India began to wonder: if GE can’t deliver engines on time, how reliable will they be as a technology partner?
The French Alternative
While the American deal stalled, France came forward with a much more attractive offer. In November 2024, France’s Safran company and India’s defense research organization signed an agreement to co-develop a new 120 kilonewton jet engine together.
The French deal offered everything the American deal lacked. Most importantly, France promised 100% technology transfer with full intellectual property rights for India. This wasn’t just about learning how to assemble engines—India would own the knowledge completely and could develop, modify, and upgrade engines in the future without needing French permission.
The difference between 80% and 100% might sound small, but it’s enormous in practice. With 80% transfer, India would still depend on America for critical components and knowledge. With 100% transfer, India could become truly self-reliant. France was even willing to share the most difficult technology—how to manufacture single-crystal turbine blades and handle the extreme heat in an engine’s hot section. These are considered the hardest parts of jet engine design.
France also proved it could move quickly. While the American deal remained stuck in bureaucratic limbo for years, the French agreement was negotiated and signed relatively fast. There were no complicated international arms regulations blocking progress, no Congressional approval needed, and no endless debates about what could or couldn’t be shared.
Additionally, France had a better track record with India. When India bought Rafale fighter jets from France, the relationship went smoothly. France had shown itself willing to transfer sensitive technology before, including for the HAMMER precision weapon system, where Safran agreed to manufacture in India with 60% local content.
India’s Strategic Calculation
India didn’t technically reject the American deal—both agreements are theoretically moving forward in parallel. The US F-414 engines will still power India’s near-term fighter jets like the Tejas MkII prototypes, assuming the deal ever gets finalized.
But India clearly sees the French partnership as its long-term solution. The engine being developed with France will power India’s fifth-generation AMCA stealth fighter, which represents the future of Indian airpower. By the 2030s, when these aircraft enter service, India wants to be making its own engines without foreign restrictions, regulations, or supply chain vulnerabilities.
The French deal addresses India’s fundamental goal: achieving complete independence in defense technology. For decades, India has been frustrated by its dependence on foreign suppliers who could cut off supplies during conflicts or use technology access as political leverage. With full intellectual property rights from France, India eliminates this vulnerability.
Conclusion
India chose France over the United States for a simple reason: France offered genuine partnership while America offered a transaction with strings attached. The 100% technology transfer versus 80%, the speed of execution versus endless delays, the absence of regulatory barriers versus ITAR restrictions, and the track record of reliability versus supply problems all pointed in the same direction.
For India, this wasn’t just about buying an engine—it was about acquiring the knowledge to build an aerospace industry that could stand on its own. France was willing to provide that. America, despite its advanced technology, was not willing or able to match that commitment. In choosing France, India chose its own long-term independence over short-term convenience.
References
1.https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/bel-safran-hammer-strike-system-explained-india-defence-125112500428_1.html
2.https://idrw.org/3-years-after-mou-india-us-f-414-jet-engine-deal-remains-illusive/
3.https://idrw.org/ge-hal-80-tot-deal-faces-delays-technical-discussions-and-government-reviews-ongoing/
4.https://www.heritage.org/defense/report/the-us-should-transfer-advanced-jet-engine-technology-india-support-strong-partner
5.https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/aero-india-2025-hal-in-talks-over-ge-f414-technology-transfers
