Jodhpur: In a move that will provide relief to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), American engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) has assured India of a revised delivery schedule for the crucial F404-IN20 engines that power the Tejas Mk1A aircraft.
The new schedule, set to commence in November this year, aims to address the significant delays that have hampered the delivery of these advanced fighter jets.
The commitment from GE comes after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh directly raised the issue during his recent visit to the United States. Sources indicate that GE has promised to deliver two engines per month, beginning in November.
This development is particularly crucial as the original contract between HAL and GE, signed in August 2021, stipulated the delivery of 99 engines starting in March of this year. These engines are essential for fulfilling the IAF's order of 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft.
This development also comes at a time when the IAF is reportedly considering an additional order of 97 Tejas aircraft, highlighting the strategic importance of this indigenous fighter jet for India's air power.
The timely delivery of engines is vital for the Tejas Mk1A program, as the aircraft's design is specifically tailored to the F404-IN20 engine. The first Tejas Mk1A, LA 5033, took its maiden flight in March this year, but it was equipped with a reserve engine rather than the new F404-IN20.
Sources within the government reveal that GE had cited supply chain issues and the re-certification of new vendors as reasons for the delays. However, there have been concerns about the potential influence of other factors.
Despite the engine-related setbacks, HAL has maintained its production schedule for the Tejas Mk1A. A new production line has been established in Nashik, in addition to the existing one in Bengaluru, allowing HAL to produce a total of 24 aircraft annually.
