The United States has delivered the second General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine to India for the TEJAS Mk-1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, marking a significant step forward in the country’s indigenous fighter jet production efforts. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) confirmed the receipt of the engine as of July 2025, with a total of 12 engines scheduled for delivery by early 2026.
Revival After Supply Chain Delays
This development follows a prolonged delay of nearly two years due to global supply chain disruptions. A key bottleneck had been the unavailability of components from a South Korean supplier, which had significantly affected delivery timelines. Now, under a revised and accelerated schedule, GE is committed to delivering two engines per month until March 2026.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar stated that this consistent monthly supply is part of a broader $716 million contract signed in 2021 between GE and India for the procurement of 99 F404-IN20 afterburning turbofan engines, essential for powering the TEJAS Mk-1A fleet.
Key to Achieving HAL’s Production Goals
The delivery of these engines is critical for HAL to maintain and expand its production schedule. With the second engine now in hand, HAL is preparing to roll out the first aircraft equipped with the new engines within the next few months.
The TEJAS Mk-1A is a substantial upgrade over previous variants, featuring modern avionics and mission systems. These include an advanced mission computer, digital flight control systems, smart multifunction displays, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and a comprehensive electronic warfare suite.
Addressing IAF Fleet Modernization Needs
These enhancements are crucial for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is urgently replacing its ageing MiG-21 fleet. The IAF has already placed an order for 83 TEJAS Mk-1A aircraft and is now reviewing a proposal for an additional 97 jets. This would bring the total procurement under consideration to 180 units.
HAL, meanwhile, has set an ambitious goal of producing 30 TEJAS aircraft annually by 2026–27. Achieving this target will rely heavily on the uninterrupted delivery of GE engines and the scaling up of production capacity across both public and private sector supply chains.
Indo-US Defence Ties Strengthened
This milestone in engine delivery not only helps recover lost time in the TEJAS production schedule but also signifies a deepening of India–US defence collaboration. The partnership is expanding beyond hardware delivery to include potential technology transfers and localized manufacturing of future, more advanced engines for upcoming indigenous fighter platforms like the TEJAS Mk-2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Reliable engine supply will be key to maintaining the momentum of India’s aerospace programs. With GE committed to delivering engines until March 2026, India’s path toward defence self-reliance and enhanced air combat capabilities is becoming more tangible and strategically aligned.
Also Read: Diplomatic Reset in Motion: Jaishankar Visits China for First Time Since Galwan Clash
