India’s state-run aerospace manufacturer announced Friday that it has signed an agreement with U.S. company General Electric to procure more than 100 engines for the indigenous Tejas fighter jets.
The deal comes amid recent strains in U.S.–India relations following Washington’s decision to impose steep tariffs in response to New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil.
While the two countries have yet to finalize a trade pact, both leaders have recently taken a more conciliatory approach after relations dipped sharply in August.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said the agreement involves GE Aerospace delivering 113 engines for the advanced Tejas Mk1A variant.
This announcement follows India’s $7 billion order placed last month with HAL for 97 Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft.
As one of the world’s largest defense importers, India has prioritized modernizing its armed forces and promoting domestic defense manufacturing.
The country remains vigilant against multiple regional threats, particularly from neighboring Pakistan.
The two nations last clashed in a four-day confrontation in May—their most serious since 1999—with both sides claiming to have downed enemy aircraft.
