HAL gets 3 more F404 engines from GE Aerospace for Tejas Mk1A

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received three more F404-IN20 engines from US aircraft engine manufacturer GE Aerospace for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A programme, providing another boost to a fighter project that has faced delays because of engine supply constraints.

GE Aerospace said on Thursday that it shipped the three engines to HAL in August 2026. “We are proud to partner with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force to power India’s indigenous fighter jets,” the company said.

The latest shipment is significant for HAL as it seeks to increase the pace of Tejas Mk1A production. Engine availability has been one of the key constraints affecting the production and delivery schedule of the aircraft.

HAL has previously maintained that its production line is ready, but the availability of GE’s F404-IN20 engines has been critical to completing and delivering the fighters.

GE contracted to supply 99 engines

GE Aerospace is contracted to supply 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL under a deal worth about Rs 5,375 crore signed in 2021 for the Tejas Mk1A fleet.

The Indian Air Force has ordered 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft from HAL, making the availability of engines an important factor in the overall execution of the programme.

More from Business

Former HAL chairman DK Sunil had said in April that GE had assured the company of delivering 20 F404 engines during the second half of 2026, between June and December.

“We have five engines, the sixth engine is ready now. It will be picked up shortly,” Sunil had said.

He had added that GE’s indication was that it would deliver 20 engines during the second half of the year, describing that figure as a pessimistic estimate and saying the US company expected to do better.

The three engines shipped in August are part of the supply expected during this period.

Why F404 matters for Tejas

The F404-IN20 is the powerplant selected for the single-engine Tejas fighter and has been specifically tailored for India’s requirements.

According to GE Aerospace, the F404-IN20 has the highest thrust within the F404 family. It features a higher-flow fan, single-crystal turbine blades and several specialised components designed for the Indian fighter.

The F404 is also one of the company’s most widely used military aircraft engines, powering thousands of combat aircraft around the world.

GE has said the engine has proved to be a good fit for the Tejas programme. During the aircraft’s first test flight in 2008, the fighter climbed to several mission altitudes and reached a speed of Mach 1.1, according to the company.

GE restarted F404 production after five years

The latest deliveries are also the result of GE restarting production of the F404-IN20 after a five-year shutdown.

GE had earlier completed its commitment to HAL by 2016, supplying 65 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas LCA.

With no additional orders at the time, production of the engine was subsequently shut down.

That changed in 2021, when HAL placed an additional order for 99 engines for the Tejas Mk1A. GE then restarted the F404-IN20 production line and re-engaged suppliers across its global supply chain.

GE Aerospace and the Tejas programme teams also worked together for several years to customise the engine to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force.

The development highlights the importance of maintaining a reliable supply chain for India’s fighter aircraft programme, particularly as HAL looks to expand Tejas production.

Delayed engine supplies have affected deliveries

F404 engine availability has been a recurring issue for the Tejas Mk1A programme.

HAL has said its production facilities are ready, but the pace at which aircraft can be completed and delivered depends partly on the arrival of the engines from GE.

The delays have also resulted in contractual consequences for GE.

HAL officials have previously said that the contract contains a provision for liquidated damages if GE fails to deliver F404 engines according to the agreed schedule.

“The contract includes a provision stating that if there is a delay in the delivery of F-404 engines for the Light Combat Aircraft, liquidated damages will be imposed on GE Aviation,” HAL officials had said.

The penalties are therefore being imposed under the terms of the existing contract.

(With inputs from agencies.)