F-404 Engine Backlog for Tejas Reached 26, May Rise to 30 by Mid-2025 as Supply Chain Issues Persist at GE

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) sources have confirmed a growing backlog of F-404 engines crucial for India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program.

The backlog, attributed to ongoing supply chain challenges faced by engine manufacturer General Electric (GE), has reached 26 units and is projected to climb to 30 by mid-2025.

Despite plans to deliver the first lot of two engines in March 2025, GE's production ramp-up is not expected to significantly alleviate the backlog in the near future.

GE aims to gradually increase production to 8 engines per year, then to 12, with a target of 20 units by the end of 2026. However, even with these planned increases, the backlog is anticipated to grow, highlighting the severity of the supply chain issues.

Adding to the complexity, the Indian Air Force (IAF) intends to order an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A units. This would require GE Aviation to prepare for an influx of 110 more engines, including reserve units. This surge in demand has prompted HAL to urge GE to further accelerate its production rate, aiming for 30 units per year by 2027.

The engine backlog poses a significant challenge to the Tejas program, potentially impacting production timelines and the IAF's modernization plans. HAL's efforts to negotiate higher production rates with GE underscore the urgency of addressing this issue to ensure the timely delivery of these critical fighter jets.

 

[Radium]

F-404 was born 50 years ago, why doesn't India have the technology from 50 years ago?

 

[rcbharatmahan]

F-404 was born 50 years ago, why doesn't India have the technology from 50 years ago?

Because our incompetent corrupt politicians, defense ministers such as S Pawar, Anthony, Chavan, Mulayam Yadav, J Ram, Chandrashekhar, V P Singh, K C Pant, R Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, P V Rao were busy filling their pockets and assisting the Congress party coffers.

 

[R. Singh]

As a second option we should ink deal with Rolls Royce to make suitable engine for Tejas-1A !

 

[Andy13]

As a second option we should ink deal with Rolls Royce to make suitable engine for Tejas-1A !

UK is lackey of US. May delay. Saffran is better.

 

[ysaxon]

F-404 was born 50 years ago, why doesn't India have the technology from 50 years ago?

There is a political lobby in India which has been sabotaging India's manufacturing potential since days of HF-24 Marut of 1960s. It is blocking all R&D efforts, be it in semi conductors, Aviation or defense. The enemy is within.

 

[MSN]

It does not require an Astrologer to predict a delay in the delivery of GE404, and it may further be delayed or be permanently delayed by the US. India has entered the old trap of US.

 

[Varun]

Because we are busy boasting our ancestors technological feats thousands of years ago

 

[rajan]

Because our incompetent corrupt politicians, defense ministers such as S Pawar, Anthony, Chavan, Mulayam Yadav, J Ram, Chandrashekhar, V P Singh, K C Pant, R Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, P V Rao were busy filling their pockets and assisting the Congress party coffers.

Does anybody got any guts to call them corrupt and anti-national. No and whatever lies they spread people tend to believe these lies. Like the lies at the time of Lok Sabha and people believed it.

 

[rcbharatmahan]

@MSN
Be it US, RUS, UK, FRA - none of these will transfer 100% ToT to India - so we need to produce engines ourselves.

 

[Foxbat]

The best solution to overcome this problem dragging down the planned schedules to produce the first batch of 97 Mk1A is to find a ideal partner to collaborate in the long overdue MRFA procurement. The Indian bureaucracy is famous for its laid back, wait and see attitude has delayed the MMRCA previously for many years and now with MRFA procurement. The snail pace progress has caused massive pressure to IAF in trying to close the gap in fast depleting fighter squadrons. The bureaucrats delay tactics in delaying the MMRCA and now MRFA procurement clearly shows they are more interested in Tejas Mk1A, Mk2 followed by the induction of AMCA. But the ignorant bureaucrats are not bothered look at the prolonged delays in getting the first batch of 97 Mk1A to IAF. Don't these bureaucrats in the MoD ever realise our closest adversaries i particular china has produced 5th gen fighters and building up in numbers? It's time someone gives the bureaucrats some wake up brainst brainstorming.

 

[Chauvinism 9750]

It is astounding that the jet engine was manufactured and put in a fighter plane as early as 1942. We are still not able to manufacture one of our own after 92 years after the first jet fighter took off in Germany. Obviously, this inability arises from set of hurdles designed by bureaucrats. May be, airforce brass is also involved in the conspiracy. We saw that in the VVIP helicopter case. Will NaMo be able to get these characters to release the defence industry from their strangle hold? I think not. The present government must replace this deadwood with honest, not say patriotic, professionals who are true to their salt.

 

[AK49]

If India can have a Successful Indigenous Space Program with own Engines to Propel Spacecraft , why can't it have a dedicated team to produce one or more types of Fighter Jet Engines and not get crippled at Critical Times by an unpredictable Engine Supplier.🤔☹️☹️☹️😢

 

[ajaysdate]

Buy some F35s from US..Suddenly GE will find all the missing supply chain and F404s. Will start to tumble out of GE factories!
F35 will be the cost of getting F404s.