In a significant move to strengthen India's indigenous fighter capabilities, GE Aerospace has renewed its commitment to accelerating the delivery of F404 engines for the Tejas LCA Mk1A program.
This assurance comes immediately after a high-level strategic visit by Dr D.K. Sunil, Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to the GE Aerospace manufacturing facility in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Accelerating Production for the Indian Air Force
Last week, HAL’s top leadership, led by Dr Sunil, toured the Lynn facility where the F404-IN20 engines are assembled.The primary focus of the visit was to address and resolve delivery schedules for the Tejas Mk1A program, which is currently in a critical phase of production ramp-up.
Paul Ferraro, Vice President and General Manager for Defence Engines at GE Aerospace, shared in a statement that the company was honoured to host the Indian delegation.
He confirmed that detailed discussions were held regarding the acceleration of engine production to align with the Indian Air Force's (IAF) squadron induction plans.
This meeting is particularly timely given recent global supply chain challenges that have impacted delivery timelines.
The visit by the HAL Chairman underscores the urgency of stabilising the supply of engines to ensure that the IAF’s modernisation roadmap remains on track.
Expanding the Order Book: Over 180 Engines
The strategic importance of this partnership has been further cemented by a substantial increase in orders.Discussions during the visit covered the execution of a recently announced contract for 113 additional F404-IN20 engines.
This new requirement is in addition to the previous order for 99 engines signed in 2021, bringing the total number of engines required for the Mk1A fleet to well over 180 units.
These engines will power the 83 Tejas Mk1A jets already on order, as well as the additional 97 aircraft approved by the Defence Acquisition Council.
Powering Indigenous Capabilities
GE Aerospace officials highlighted that the F404-IN20 is not just a standard engine but a customised variant developed specifically to meet India's unique operational requirements.It features enhancements optimised for high-temperature and high-altitude missions, which are critical for operations in diverse Indian environments.
"We are proud to power India’s indigenous fighter jets," said Ferraro, noting that the sheer scale of these orders reflects the deep confidence HAL and the IAF have in the F404’s reliability and performance.
The engine family is renowned globally for its ease of maintenance and high thrust-to-weight ratio, making it one of the most proven fighter engines in the world.
A Deepening Defence Partnership
The collaboration between HAL and GE Aerospace now spans more than four decades, establishing GE as one of India's most deeply embedded propulsion partners.The visit to Lynn served to reinforce this long-standing relationship, which extends beyond the Tejas Mk1A.
GE’s footprint in the Indian defence sector includes:
- Future Fighter Programs: GE is supplying the more powerful F414 engines for the upcoming Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's fifth-generation stealth fighter program.
- Naval Power: The GE LM2500 marine gas turbines are currently powering several frontline warships of the Indian Navy, including indigenous aircraft carriers and frigates.
- Local Manufacturing: The partnership is set to evolve from pure supply to co-production. Plans are underway for a co-production line in India for the F414 engine, which will involve manufacturing, assembly, testing, and lifecycle support within the country.
Looking Ahead
As the Indian Air Force prepares to induct the Tejas Mk1A in larger numbers, the availability of engines remains a key enabler.The commitments made during Dr Sunil’s visit to Lynn signal a concerted effort by both HAL and GE Aerospace to overcome recent bottlenecks and ensure that India's indigenous fighter fleet takes to the skies on schedule.
