SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In an exclusive revelation to idrw.org, a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) official has confirmed that the backlog of F-404 engines, which were to be supplied by General Electric (GE), has now reached 26 units. This comes amidst ongoing challenges faced by GE in meeting the delivery schedules for these critical components for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
According to the information shared with idrw.org, GE is set to deliver the first lot of two engines in March 2025. However, the plan to ramp up production by 2026 suggests that the backlog might not see significant reduction in the immediate future. The official further disclosed that the backlog is expected to swell to 30 units by mid-2025, reflecting the persistent production and supply chain issues at GE.
GE’s strategy to address this backlog includes a gradual increase in engine orders. The company aims to increase production to 8 engines per year, then to 12, with a target of reaching 20 units by the end of 2026. Despite these plans, the backlog is still anticipated to grow, highlighting the depth of the supply challenge.
The situation is further complicated by the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) intention to order an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A units, which would necessitate GE Aviation to prepare for an influx of 110 more engines, including those kept in reserve. This escalation in demand is pushing HAL to negotiate with GE for an even higher production rate. HAL officials are advocating for GE to scale up to producing 30 units per year by 2027 to meet these growing needs.
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