labels: News reports, Defence general, Indian Air Force
Eurojet's EJ200 engine in contention for the LCA Tejas programme news
22 July 2009

The first lot of 40 LCAs will enter service starting 2010, powered by the GE F-404 engine. The next batch of MK2 aircraft will have a number of features that is likely to increase the weight of the aircraft by 2 tonnes. The older GE F-404 will not have the required power for the heavier MK2s, air force officials have said.

For the LCA MK2, Eurojet's EJ200 and the higher thrust GE F-414 engine are the two main contenders.

It is believed that both Eurojet Turbo and General Electric have given demonstrations of their engines.

While the GE F-414 powers the Boeing F/A-18E/F and Saab Gripen NG fighters, the EJ200 powers the Eurofighter Typhoon. All three aircraft are contenders for the IAFs $11 billion, 126-aircraft medium range, multi-role fighter tender. Flight trials are due to commence soon.

Eurojet officials have said that the EJ200 engine needs minimum changes and will not delay the LCA programme.

The Eurojet consortium has been contracted to produce more than 1,500 EJ200 engines to power a total of 707 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft ordered by six nations.

Eurojet's shareholders comprise Avio (Italy), ITP (Spain), MTU Aero Engines (Germany) and Rolls-Royce (UK).


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Eurojet's EJ200 engine in contention for the LCA Tejas programme