Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received the third GE-404 engine from the United States for India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A fighter jet programme. Defence officials confirmed that the fourth engine is expected to reach India by the end of this month.
According to officials, HAL is set to receive a total of 12 GE-404 engines before the close of the current financial year. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already placed an order for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, while a proposal to acquire 97 additional fighters is currently in the final stages of approval.
Back in 2021, India signed a $716 million deal with General Electric to procure 99 F404-IN20 engines. However, deliveries were delayed due to global supply chain disruptions, including issues with a South Korean component supplier. The revised delivery was scheduled for March 2025.
The IAF plans to induct 352 Tejas aircraft, combining both the Mk1A and Mk2 variants. HAL has assured that it remains on track to meet its commitments for this year despite earlier setbacks. Engine supplies are expected to stabilise from the next financial year, paving the way for faster production.
By 2026–27, HAL aims to scale up full-fledged production to 30 Tejas aircraft annually, with support from both public and private industry partners.
