General Electric has won a $105 million contract from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India to supply aircraft engines for the Light Combat aircraft (LCA). This appears to be the first manifestation of the famed “high-technology trade” that has been in the news for some time now.

The American company is to provide 17 of its ‘F404-GE-IN20’ engines, while also delivering logistical support. The first batch will touch Indian shores in 2006. Flight-testing of LCA prototypes with a similar engine began in 2001. In all, seven prototypes will use such engines.

GE’s F404 engines are hugely popular all over the world. The USAF F/A-18 Hornet fighter and the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter use this.
The Swedish JAS-39 Gripen, Singapore's Skyhawk and Korea’s T-50 advanced light combat aircraft all use this. This is besides the air forces of Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland. India has made it clear that the purchase of equipment is on the condition of assured spare part supplies and indigenous maintenance facilities.