GE Aerospace Pledges Faster F404 Engine Deliveries for Tejas Mk1A Following HAL Chairman's Strategic Visit to Lynn

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.

 

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[rcbharatmahan]

HAL needs to review this engine deal with GE and US in particular. There are going to be major speed breaker impediment for IAF and Tejas aircraft. Why is HAL eager to get this engine ...what was chairman of HAL doing all this time. He must be sacked..

 

[Madan]

HAL hasn't learnt its lesson. Still running behind GE. Why can't HAL management understand that US won't allow India to manufacture its own jets. Still licking their boots. Has he gone there to get his share? HAL couldn't deliver one jet in 10 months after getting its engine. Useless fellows.

 

[ku.nj727]

They could have probably discussed upon the F414 bcz they can't do much(or pressurise) GE for F404 when they have already given them order and no option remains

 

[positive]

HAL AND DRDO ARE TWO WHOLLY INEFFICIENT SUBSIDERIES SUCKING BLOOD OF THE COUNTRY, PAYING SALARIES TO SOME OF MOST CORRUPT AND INEFFICIENT EMPLOYEES CREATING RED TAPEISMS AND ALL ROUND WILFUL CORRUPT PRACTICE TO CHANNELIZE FUNDS TO THE BABU'S.
THEY SHOULD BE DISMANTLED AND SOLD TO COMPANIES LIKE TATA WITH CLEAR TARGETS FOR ACHIEVEMENT, OR THE HIGHWAY. NO JOBS ARE LOST HERE FOR INEFFICIENT MANAGEMENT,IS THE KEY PROBLEM FOR THESE HORRIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.

 

[BigBoy]

At this point, HAL should become a planning and decision making entity rather than a aerospace manufacturer... They just keep planning and planning with nothing coming out of the factories.

 

[DS]

The Indian Armed Forces induct engines after careful evaluation by the User Service. The first requirement being combat proven & secondly it must be “ in service “ of the OEM’s host nation’s Armed Forces.

GE has been supplying the Armed Forces of the USA with engines both airforce and naval forces till date. Recent combat deployments indicate that USAAF and USN platforms are doing extremely well in combat.

Logistics management will continue efficiently and our own indigenous engines must now be built at home at warp speed .

 

[Virochana]

HAL hasn't learnt its lesson. Still running behind GE. Why can't HAL management understand that US won't allow India to manufacture its own jets. Still licking their boots. Has he gone there to get his share? HAL couldn't deliver one jet in 10 months after getting its engine. Useless fellows.

Useless engines also. The best fighter jets in the world are the Sukhois and the Migs. None of the Western jets can match the in actual combat. The proof of this is the Ukraine war. The great and wonderful F35, Rafales, Grippen are are conspicus by their absence in the SMO in Ukraine. The F16 and Miraj 2000 given to Ukraine. Do not dare to engage the Migs & Sukhois. The combined might of the West its allies have failed to halt the Russian advance. So why are our authorities going for these Mediocre engines from the West. Dassault refuses to give source codes for their pathetic Rafale. The west has always supported our enemy even in the recent Operation Sindoor. The ceasefire was announced by US to protect the Patriots and F16s from S400 and Sukhois Su30. Jai Hind!

 

[ckraju]

Sukhoi engines should be preferred ones.. It can easily be converted to dual engine aircraft, enhancing redundancy, reliability and power. There should be at least three assembly lines, to accommodate GE, Sukhoi and Mirage2000

 

[OpenMindIndian]

HAL should assemble Twin engines patrol planes first using DRDO Kaveri engines instead of jumping to fighter aircraft without having engine tech. Let Kaveri tech mature over a decade and refine it, just like DRDO refined the Prithvi to BM04 missiles. No amt of technology transfer can replace own experience and learning. Also India should invest in material science and metallurgy like Korea, Japan , Germany and France to provide all round benefits to defence, local industry and bring true import substitution. Without a strong material science foundation, Make In India will remain confined to useless screw driver assembly.

 

[OpenMindIndian]

HAL should assemble Twin engines patrol planes first using DRDO Kaveri engines instead of jumping to fighter aircraft without having engine tech. Let Kaveri tech mature over a decade and refine it, just like DRDO refined the Prithvi to BM04 missiles. No amt of technology transfer can replace own experience and learning. Also India should invest in material science and metallurgy like Korea, Japan , Germany and France to provide all round benefits to defence, local industry and bring true import substitution. Without a strong material science foundation, Make In India will remain confined to useless screw driver assembly.

 

[ckraju]

HAL should assemble Twin engines patrol planes first using DRDO Kaveri engines instead of jumping to fighter aircraft without having engine tech. Let Kaveri tech mature over a decade and refine it, just like DRDO refined the Prithvi to BM04 missiles. No amt of technology transfer can replace own experience and learning. Also India should invest in material science and metallurgy like Korea, Japan , Germany and France to provide all round benefits to defence, local industry and bring true import substitution. Without a strong material science foundation, Make In India will remain confined to useless screw driver assembly.

Reusing MiG-21 engines wont be bad either... Its inferior airframes and avionics that made 21s sit out...

 

[FROST]

Just like a drunkard 's statement. Deliver and get paid. That should be HAL's stand