NEW DELHI: In a significant development for India’s defence and aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday announced a $1 billion deal with US-based General Electric (GE) for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 jet engines and a comprehensive support package for the 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A program.
HAL said in a post on X, “Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into an agreement with General Electric Company, USA, on November 7, 2025, for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package for execution of the 97 LCA Mk1A programme.”
The company confirmed that engine deliveries will take place between 2027 and 2032, ensuring smooth production and delivery timelines for the LCA fleet. The contract for 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft was signed earlier in September 2025 with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Ensuring Continuity and Timely Supply
The deal is expected to meet HAL’s complete requirement of 212 GE-404 engines, covering earlier and ongoing production lots of the indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft. The agreement aims to prevent any supply chain delays, ensuring uninterrupted progress in India’s indigenous fighter jet program – a critical component of the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives in defence.
The LCA Mk1A, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by HAL, is a 4.5-generation, multi-role light fighter designed for air defence, strike, and reconnaissance missions.
HAL Expands into Civil Aviation: MoU with Russia’s UAC
In another landmark collaboration, HAL recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) to produce the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India.
The agreement was signed in Moscow on October 27, 2025, and marks HAL’s re-entry into the civil aviation manufacturing space after more than three decades. The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft already in commercial operation, with over 200 units flying across 16 airlines worldwide.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into an agreement with M/s. General Electric Company, USA, on 7th November 2025 for the supply of 113 Nos of F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package for execution of 97 LCA Mk1A programme. pic.twitter.com/zB4BVGP0LK
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) November 7, 2025
Reviving Passenger Aircraft Production in India
Under the new arrangement, HAL will acquire rights to manufacture the SJ-100 for India’s domestic market – a move expected to enhance regional air connectivity under the government’s UDAN scheme.
This initiative will make the SJ-100 the first passenger aircraft to be produced in India since the AVRO HS-748 project (1961–1988), symbolizing a major revival of indigenous civil aircraft manufacturing.
According to HAL, the partnership underscores India–Russia’s long-standing aerospace collaboration and represents a major step toward achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in the civil aviation sector.
HAL stated, “The manufacturing of the SJ-100 aircraft marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Indian aviation industry. It’s a step towards fulfilling the dream of self-reliance in civil aviation.”
Meeting India’s Growing Aviation Demand
Industry analysts estimate India will require over 200 SJ-100-type aircraft over the next decade to improve short-haul and regional connectivity, and an additional 350 aircraft to serve the Indian Ocean region and nearby international tourist routes.
The SJ-100 project is expected to boost local manufacturing, attract private participation, and generate employment across the aerospace value chain. HAL believes this expansion will not only meet India’s domestic aviation needs but also position the country as a competitive player in global aircraft manufacturing.
Strategic Significance
With these two landmark developments – the GE jet engine supply contract and the UAC partnership for civil aircraft production – HAL is emerging as a key pillar in India’s dual pursuit of defence modernization and civil aviation self-reliance.
The initiatives are aligned with India’s vision to become a global hub for aerospace innovation, manufacturing, and exports, strengthening both strategic capability and industrial growth.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
HAL is the state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that has been designing, developing, and producing aircraft, helicopters, and engines that power India’s armed forces for over eight decades.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, this formed officially in 1940, HAL has evolved from assembling British aircraft to building world-class fighter jets, helicopters, and avionics systems indigenously. Today, it stands at the heart of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) mission — symbolizing the country’s growing confidence in defence manufacturing.
