SOURCE: AFI
In a twist that has both defense analysts and netizens chuckling, the GE F-404 engine, crucial for India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, has been spotted listed on IndiaMart, India’s largest online marketplace for business products. This bizarre scenario has unfolded amidst ongoing delays in the supply of these engines from General Electric (GE) to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s primary aerospace manufacturer.
The GE F-404 engine, known for its reliability and performance in powering light combat aircraft, was found listed on IndiaMart, a platform more commonly associated with commercial goods than high-end military hardware. This listing has sparked a wave of humor across social media, with many pointing out the irony that while HAL struggles with delivery delays, the same engine appears readily available online, albeit in a context far removed from its intended use.
The situation was highlighted on social media platforms where users expressed their amusement and disbelief with comments like, “You can buy an F-404 on IndiaMart but not from GE to HAL? Now that’s what you call a market anomaly!” This has led to a flurry of memes and satirical takes on defense procurement processes, highlighting the gap between commercial availability and strategic supply chain management in defense industries.
The GE F-404 engines are pivotal for the Tejas Mk1A program, which aims to modernize the Indian Air Force’s fleet with indigenous fighters. In August 2021, HAL signed a substantial contract with GE for 99 F-404 engines to be delivered by 2029. However, delays have pushed back the delivery timeline, affecting the production and readiness of the Tejas Mk1A jets. These delays have been attributed to global supply chain disruptions, with GE working to resolve constraints.
Despite these assurances, the sight of the engine being listed on IndiaMart has led to public and expert scrutiny over the efficiency of supply chain logistics in defense procurement. The listing, whether intentional or an oversight, underscores the complexities and sometimes the absurdities of modern defense supply chains.
As GE commits to ramping up production and delivery, the focus returns to the strategic partnership between India and the United States, with both nations having much to gain from a successful collaboration. However, the IndiaMart listing saga might just be remembered as a quirky footnote in the annals of defense procurement, one that briefly transformed a serious issue into a topic of national humor.