No idea why it is so difficult.
The following article does mention, but is actually behind teh curve.
GE supplies two test engines for Tejas Mk-2, eyes collaboration for AMCA
"The first two engines are for flight test. They are ready to go as and when the plane is ready. We are committed to deliver six more engines," said Mark Pearson, who leads the military engine programme for GE in an interview.
Pearson is betting on the over 700 engineers who work on design and take charge of manufacturing parts of GE's commercial aero engines, at its India centre in Bengaluru, to push for local co-development of the engine for AMCA, which ADA is developing.
This "co-development" is part of the DTTI process and *was requested by India*. During Parrikar's last visit, last Dec(?), the US SD modified their rules to export certain techs related to engines to India (the vid is on YT, where Carter announced it in the presence of Parrikar, in DC).
There is also a vid by Mark Peaerson, at AI17, in Feb, 2017, that shows a ppt slide on this matter. Indicating that the work *has already started* (which is why the above article is "behind the curve").
So, what is so great about thsi engine? It satisfies the US's claim to conduct a JV with India, just like that of Brahmos with Russia. When the US/India could not find a good project, India, when Obama visited India, proposed two projects. The outcomes were the Carrier Working Group and the Engine Working Group (they I think have a diff designation, but serves the purpose here). This effort, for an enhanced F414-INS6 (specific engine made for the LCA MK2 - and NOT any GE F414) is a collaborative effort between India and the US. The IP for this engine will be shared between India and the US (very similar to the Brahmos). This engine is an Indian engine, with Indians working out of the GE office in Bangalore. GE Bangalore has 700 engineers - currently working on the commercial side, some of whom have been tasked with enhancing the GE F414-INS6.
Now, the "payment" for this engine was worked out by both India and the US (all this out there in open source, just need to connect the dots). I have not chased who proposed a SE air craft, but someone did and then the following followed: SE (F-16), MII, LM stated that they needed a minimum order of XXX for F-16 MII, Modi said something to the effect up-to-200 (LM CEO visited India last summer or so). What held all this up was the SP process and associating a partner to LM in India.
This Indo-GE (IGE) engine is specifically designed for the AMCA - at 110 kN, it has plenty of power to spare and the AC to grow.
Two things I found very interesting:
* GE Bangalore has 700 engineers working on commercial GE engines. Leading edge techs. I wonder how many engineers does GTRE have. Trying to get a feel for eng-2-eng ration ......... just for the heck of it
* The co-development effort was assigned to a non gov party in India. ADA will have a say, but not GTRE.
And thus everything else stated after that is complete nonsense. There is not a shred of evidence, NOT ONE, that he was pushed out of the Defence Ministry. Parrikar always had one foot in Goa. He loves that state. He was born there, did his schooling there. He is a 100% Goan, in and out. But he did his job as Raksha Mantri with elan. No can dispute that. He was a straight shooter. No bullsh!t with him.
