GE Aerospace announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. The announcement comes amid PM Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. and is an effort toward strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India while the company continues work with the U.S. government to work out export authorization. The effort is part of the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk2 program.

“This is a historic agreement made possible by our longstanding partnership with India and HAL,” said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace. “We are proud to play a role in advancing President Biden and Prime Minister Modi’s vision of closer coordination between the two nations. Our F414 engines are unmatched and will offer important economic and national security benefits for both countries as we help our customers produce the highest quality engines to meet the needs of their military fleet.”

According to a release, the U.S. Navy has depended on F414 engines to power front-line fighters for armed forces around the globe. More than 1600 F414 engines have been delivered by GE worldwide, and these engines have clocked more than five million flying hours collectively. Eight nations have F414- powered aircraft in operation or on order.

Before the announcement, PM Modi met with H. Lawrence Culp Jr. and appreciated GE for its long-term commitment to manufacturing in India. The two discussed GE’s greater technology collaboration to promote manufacturing in India, and PM Modi invited GE to play a greater role in the aviation and renewable energy sector in India.