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04 Feb 2009 8ak: Eurojet management today confirmed that if required they are willing to transfer single crystal turbine blade technology. This is currently not under the scope of the RFP and a separate agreement would have to be signed.
Under the licensed production of the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI it is believed that Russia transferred some of this technology to India. However Mr Harmut Tenter, Managing Director of Eurojet claims that their technology is a generation ahead. Making the blade, which is a giant single crystal is a complex process but once made the blades can withstand up to 200 degree higher temperatures whilst also improving the efficiency of the engine. More on the engine technology here.
On the offsets issue, Mr Tenter pointed to their good working relationship with HAL on the gearbox for the ALH Dhruv which they say is amongst the most advanced in the world. They are open to any company that the MoD nominates and would like to see greater opportunity to partner with the Indian private sector. Meanwhile, in the U.K. Rolls Royce has won a US$1.4 billion contract to maintain the Eurojet engines in the British Eurofighter Typhoons. In this light, 8ak asked Mr Tender whether there could be a role for the Indian private sector in engine maintenance. He replied that this is entirely possible but solely for the IAF to decide.
While low initial orders would mean that the numbers may not justify setting up a complete production facility in India, Mr Tenter says that this is something they could consider in the future even in areas unrelated to the current engine order. Eurojet has repeatedly claimed that they are looking at long term partnerships with India as the engine itself is expected to be in service for the next 40 years. He points to the success of Airbus company as an example of a very successful European consortium.
On Feb 2 after the LCA test and demonstration, defence minister, Mr A.K. Anthony declared an additional 8,000 crores (~US$1.8b) for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme. It is believed that a portion of this is for the engine technology. While France's Sncema has offered to help resolve the problems with the Kaveri engine, the need of the IAF is immediate and it is felt that this time DRDO may not be able to convince the powers-that-be to delay the decision any longer. This means that only GE's F414 and Eurojet are in the competition for the LCA engine.
Some analysts feel that India would be more susceptible to sanctions from Eurojet, since it is a consortium of companies from 4 countries, than from the U.S. In response, Mr Tenter said that during Kargil war, German companies continued operations in India uninterrupted. He added that since Germany had signed a defence co-operation agreement with India in 2006 the issue of technology transfer lies with the company. For the EJ200 Germany is the lead nation in the Eurojet consortium. On the issue of government interference he stated that should India choose Eurojet, it is a minimum 40 year relationship and a commitment that Eurojet and the partner countries take very seriously.
Reading an article from two years ago on the Kaveri - GE - Eurojet dilema, it seems that even though the issue was just as urgent 2 years ago, no action was taken. 8ak believes that whether GE or Eurojet wins, the issue must be resolved quickly and the long delayed Tejas program deployed in numbers that would be a big boost to indigenous capabilities.
8ak - Indian Defence News: Eurojet could transfer single crystal blade technology to India
Under the licensed production of the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI it is believed that Russia transferred some of this technology to India. However Mr Harmut Tenter, Managing Director of Eurojet claims that their technology is a generation ahead. Making the blade, which is a giant single crystal is a complex process but once made the blades can withstand up to 200 degree higher temperatures whilst also improving the efficiency of the engine. More on the engine technology here.
On the offsets issue, Mr Tenter pointed to their good working relationship with HAL on the gearbox for the ALH Dhruv which they say is amongst the most advanced in the world. They are open to any company that the MoD nominates and would like to see greater opportunity to partner with the Indian private sector. Meanwhile, in the U.K. Rolls Royce has won a US$1.4 billion contract to maintain the Eurojet engines in the British Eurofighter Typhoons. In this light, 8ak asked Mr Tender whether there could be a role for the Indian private sector in engine maintenance. He replied that this is entirely possible but solely for the IAF to decide.
While low initial orders would mean that the numbers may not justify setting up a complete production facility in India, Mr Tenter says that this is something they could consider in the future even in areas unrelated to the current engine order. Eurojet has repeatedly claimed that they are looking at long term partnerships with India as the engine itself is expected to be in service for the next 40 years. He points to the success of Airbus company as an example of a very successful European consortium.
On Feb 2 after the LCA test and demonstration, defence minister, Mr A.K. Anthony declared an additional 8,000 crores (~US$1.8b) for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme. It is believed that a portion of this is for the engine technology. While France's Sncema has offered to help resolve the problems with the Kaveri engine, the need of the IAF is immediate and it is felt that this time DRDO may not be able to convince the powers-that-be to delay the decision any longer. This means that only GE's F414 and Eurojet are in the competition for the LCA engine.
Some analysts feel that India would be more susceptible to sanctions from Eurojet, since it is a consortium of companies from 4 countries, than from the U.S. In response, Mr Tenter said that during Kargil war, German companies continued operations in India uninterrupted. He added that since Germany had signed a defence co-operation agreement with India in 2006 the issue of technology transfer lies with the company. For the EJ200 Germany is the lead nation in the Eurojet consortium. On the issue of government interference he stated that should India choose Eurojet, it is a minimum 40 year relationship and a commitment that Eurojet and the partner countries take very seriously.
Reading an article from two years ago on the Kaveri - GE - Eurojet dilema, it seems that even though the issue was just as urgent 2 years ago, no action was taken. 8ak believes that whether GE or Eurojet wins, the issue must be resolved quickly and the long delayed Tejas program deployed in numbers that would be a big boost to indigenous capabilities.
8ak - Indian Defence News: Eurojet could transfer single crystal blade technology to India
