SOURCE: AFI
GE Aerospace has officially kicked off a critical phase of support for India’s indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, confirming the delivery of the first F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on March 25, 2025. Following this milestone, the American defense giant has committed to supplying 11 more F404 engines before the end of 2025, ensuring a steady flow of powerplants to keep HAL’s production lines humming for the LCA Mk1A jets. This development marks a turning point after years of delays, reinforcing GE’s 40-year partnership with HAL and bolstering India’s defense manufacturing ambitions.
The F404-IN20, a high-thrust variant of GE’s renowned F404 engine family, is tailored specifically for the single-engine Tejas Mk1A, offering enhanced performance with features like a higher-flow fan and single-crystal turbine blades. The delivery of the first engine, which left GE’s facility in Lynn, Massachusetts, on March 25 and is expected to arrive in India by mid-April, ends months of anticipation. HAL, tasked with delivering 83 LCA Mk1A jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) under a ?48,000-crore contract signed in February 2021, had faced setbacks due to GE’s supply chain challenges, compounded by a five-year production gap between 2016 and 2021. With this initial delivery now complete, GE’s accelerated schedule promises to stabilize the program.
In a statement released on March 26, GE Aerospace outlined its delivery roadmap: 11 additional F404-IN20 engines will reach HAL by December 31, 2025, bringing the year’s total to 12. This aligns with HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil’s assertion at Aero India 2025 that 12 jets would be ready by year-end, leveraging the new engines alongside reserve Category-B units already in use for testing. Looking ahead, GE has pledged to ramp up production to 20 engines annually from 2026 through 2029, with the final 7 of the 99-engine order arriving in 2030. This cadence supports HAL’s goal of delivering 16-24 jets per year, matching the IAF’s urgent need to bolster its dwindling fighter squadrons.
The confirmation comes as a relief to HAL, which has completed three LCA Mk1A airframes—including LA 5033, which flew its maiden test flight in March 2024—and has 11 more in advanced stages at its Bengaluru and Nashik facilities. The steady engine supply will enable HAL to transition from temporary Category-B engines to the new F404-IN20s, ensuring airworthy jets are handed over to the IAF on schedule. GE’s commitment also paves the way for India’s broader plans, including an additional order of 97 LCA Mk1A jets, potentially requiring further engine contracts.
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