SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) after securing deliveries of eight GE F-414 engines. HAL is planning to procure additional engines directly from General Electric (GE) to ensure that the developmental trials of the Tejas MkII, scheduled to begin in March 2026, remain on track.
While the initial batch of eight F-414 engines is already in HAL’s possession, the company recognizes the importance of having a sufficient stockpile of engines to support the extensive testing and trials that lie ahead. To this end, HAL plans to acquire an additional 12-20 engines directly from GE. These engines will be kept as reserves, ensuring that the Tejas MkII program can proceed without delays, even in the event of engine-related issues during the developmental phase.
The move to procure additional engines comes as HAL anticipates a slow ramp-up in the local production of the F-414 engines. Once the deal with GE is finalized later this year, it is expected that it will take approximately three years before the first locally manufactured F-414 engines roll out of HAL’s Bangalore facility. This timeline is due to the high levels of indigenization required for the engines, which will necessitate a gradual production process.
Given the expected slow production rate in the initial years, HAL’s decision to procure extra engines from the OEM ensures that the Tejas MkII program will have a steady supply of engines, minimizing the risk of delays in the critical developmental trials phase.
With developmental trials set to begin in March 2026, HAL’s proactive approach to securing additional engines underscores the importance of the program to India’s defence strategy. By ensuring that engine availability does not become a bottleneck, HAL is positioning the Tejas MkII program for success.
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