India Signs Major Deal to Purchase US Fighter Jet Engines Amid Trade Talks with US

Yonhap News

Amid signs that the once-intense trade conflict between the United States and India is easing, India has signed a contract to purchase a large number of American-made fighter jet engines.

According to Yonhap News and foreign media on November 8, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer, announced the previous day that it had signed a contract with General Electric (GE) of the United States to purchase 113 engines to be installed in domestically produced Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets.

HAL stated in an announcement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that “the engines will be delivered sequentially from 2027 to 2032.” Although the contract amount was not specifically disclosed, it is expected to be significant considering the number of engines being procured.

Previously, the Indian government placed an order with HAL for 97 Tejas Mk-1A jets, valued at approximately 7 billion dollars (about 10.2 trillion won). The Mk-1A is an upgraded version of the Tejas Mk-1 fighter jet, which was first delivered to the Indian Air Force in 2016.

This engine contract is expected to have a positive impact on the ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and India. In August, the Trump administration raised concerns over India’s imports of Russian crude oil and imposed a total of 50% reciprocal tariffs on most Indian imports, including an additional 25% punitive tariff.

Subsequently, in late October, after the United States implemented additional sanctions against Russian oil companies, Indian refiners reportedly reduced their imports of Russian crude oil.

In this context, President Trump claimed last month that, during a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Modi expressed his willingness to reduce imports of Russian oil. On November 6, Trump also stated that trade negotiations with India were progressing smoothly and that, at Modi’s invitation, he might visit India next year.

President Trump told reporters, “He (Prime Minister Modi) is my friend,” adding, “He wants me to visit India.” He went on to say, “I will go,” mentioning the possibility of a visit next year, though he did not specify a schedule.