GE Gears Up for F-404 Engine Deliveries to India with Two Scheduled for Shipment This Month

GE Aerospace is poised to begin delivering F-404 engines to India this month, with two engines already scheduled for shipment. This development is expected to significantly accelerate the production of Tejas light combat aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The US aerospace giant has committed to delivering an additional six F-404 engines by the end of March 2025. This timely supply will enable HAL to provide at least eight Tejas Mk1 Trainer and Mk1A jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) within the same timeframe.

HAL is not waiting idly, having already completed five Tejas Mk1 Trainer aircraft with three more nearing completion by year-end. An additional three are slated for completion by March 2025. The first Tejas Mk1A has also been manufactured, with three more awaiting the new engines.

In a move to optimize aircraft performance, HAL plans to replace the Grade B engines on some Tejas Mk1 Trainers with new ones before their final delivery to the IAF. This strategic decision highlights HAL's commitment to delivering top-tier aircraft.

The prompt delivery of F-404 engines by GE Aerospace is pivotal in ramping up Tejas production and fulfilling the IAF’s requirements. This progress marks a significant stride towards spearheading India's Tejas Mk1A production.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

JUST HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR SOME FAALTOO LAST MINUTE CHANGES!!!! Still, it is a very good idea to develop Tejas MK1B using RD93MA engines and also, ORCA-TEF-Tejas-Naval for IAF and IN two versions using made in India by HAL Khorapur factory RD33MK Sea Wasp engines.

 

[Pramkumar]

HAL and ADA should go for MK1B with Kaveri, Indian Radome, Uttam AESA, Indigenous Ejection Seat and Indian Avionics. Then Even call it as MKI (India)

 

[Anant]

HAL and ADA should go for MK1B with Kaveri, Indian Radome, Uttam AESA, Indigenous Ejection Seat and Indian Avionics. Then Even call it as MKI (India)

Please don't give those folks any ideas. Might just so happen we get another half a decade delay just for the sake of renaming a model.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

JUST HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR SOME FAALTOO LAST MINUTE CHANGES!!!! Still, it is a very good idea to develop Tejas MK1B using RD93MA engines and also, ORCA-TEF-Tejas-Naval for IAF and IN two versions using made in India by HAL Khorapur factory RD33MK Sea Wasp engines.

Who said anything about using rd93 engines on tejas?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Since desi engines are not available, develop TEDBF with Russian engines. Don't have complete dependence on US.

 

[tipoo2]

Looking forward to HAL's next excuse

 

[tipoo2]

Since desi engines are not available, develop TEDBF with Russian engines. Don't have complete dependence on US.

TEDBF is actually a great candidate for continuing to work on Kaveri, since it has dual engine failsafe plus even Kaveri's lower thrust would put it in Rafale class

Russian engine technology is simply running 15 years behind the west at this point, they look cheaper on paper but the mean time before overhaul and service life are so much shorter the total cost is not cheaper. They say the AL51 will bring it up to comparable, but they've made even less of those engines than they've made Su-57s, and who knows what the state of testing is. Personally I'd rather just rough it out with Kaveri and continue to use it and develop it, and then the probably French or UK joint venture for 100% ToT on a 130kN engine for AMCA would be the future capability.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I think there needs to be an investigation done by CAG, and a white paper needs to be released to media on every major defence project. Why delay happened, who is responsible, how much money went where???

Responsibility needs to be fixed. Otherwise blame game will keep on happening, and public will remain idiots.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

DRDO- Godrej dry version of Kaveri was supposed to be delivered by mid 2024. Any news about it?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

TEDBF is actually a great candidate for continuing to work on Kaveri, since it has dual engine failsafe plus even Kaveri's lower thrust would put it in Rafale class

Russian engine technology is simply running 15 years behind the west at this point, they look cheaper on paper but the mean time before overhaul and service life are so much shorter the total cost is not cheaper. They say the AL51 will bring it up to comparable, but they've made even less of those engines than they've made Su-57s, and who knows what the state of testing is. Personally I'd rather just rough it out with Kaveri and continue to use it and develop it, and then the probably French or UK joint venture for 100% ToT on a 130kN engine for AMCA would be the future capability.

Kaveri work should be continued. Till the time it is not available, we should go for Russian engines for TEDBF. They may not be as good as western ones, but in case of sanctions or arm twisting by the west they will be available. May be next decade we have kaveri available for integration then things should change.

 

[bonito]

The wait is not over . As I predicted earlier Jan 25 or Sep 25 . So now Sep 25 is the first delivery provided Radar issue is resolved.

 

[tipoo2]

Kaveri work should be continued. Till the time it is not available, we should go for Russian engines for TEDBF. They may not be as good as western ones, but in case of sanctions or arm twisting by the west they will be available. May be next decade we have kaveri available for integration then things should change.

France has never cut us off in a time of war either. I just generally think that as we approach the Russian tech level, any spend on foreign purchases should be of something than a higher level than we're near. The Snecma engines are wonders of reliability and efficient packaging and we already need them for spares for the Rafale's, maybe that's an option? One of them was even made for compatibility with bays made for GE engines I think.

TEDBF is barely beyond design review and it'll be years before its produced, maybe Kaveri can be shaped up enough for that by then

 

[Dredd]

HAL and ADA should go for MK1B with Kaveri, Indian Radome, Uttam AESA, Indigenous Ejection Seat and Indian Avionics. Then Even call it as MKI (India)

There is no kaveri, kaveri in current form is useless

 

[sunilanalysis]

with these two engines india will defeat china

 

[Amit Ray]

with these two engines india will defeat china

Certainly not, you are there to protect our borders .

 

[Amit Ray]

I think there needs to be an investigation done by CAG, and a white paper needs to be released to media on every major defence project. Why delay happened, who is responsible, how much money went where???

Responsibility needs to be fixed. Otherwise blame game will keep on happening, and public will remain idiots.

This happens when recruitments are made through quota systems due to reservations. How can you get good engineers??

 

[PKPRS]

Who said anything about using rd93 engines on tejas?

There is a thought going on to use that engine in HAL/IAF circles as a backup if something happens in the coming year after US elections, there is no smoke without fire.

 

[NSR]

Great news for India and IAF.
But now, HAL has to step up and produce Tejas I trainers and Tejas Mk IAs and show it is up to the task.

I still think it is a wise decision to produce GE F-404 locally with a license and with 80% of TOT as they offered for GE F-414INS6.
Or else, it will become a big issue again as India want to acquire 200 numbers of Tejas Mk IAs so it needs at least 400 to 600 engines over the life of Teja IA.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Who said anything about using rd93 engines on tejas?

It will be a BRAND NEW Tejas jet with RD93MA engines. Cannot use MK1 or MK1A platform for these engines....