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.

 

[Akshat]

How can we force GE to supply an engine when they are having supply chain issues or whatever issues themselves? The engines and contract were signed which is legally binding. What investigation are you going to do from our side when we have no jurisdiction in the USA?

Not everything in life can be controlled by our government and not everything is their fault. So what’s a joke?

But we can surely investigate why HAL didn’t deliver the trainers on time, right?

 

[RalphRearden]

WE must absolutely have a backup engine option, RD-33 enhanced version ...apart from autonomy it will aid India in selling Tejas to countries banned from operating allowed US hardware

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

Very unfortunate that DMK poison doesn't tell you that state gives hardly 8% jobs to the workforce. Rest 92% is private jobs. What the social justice imparted in the state is just nothing but anti-brahmin narrative. That's all. It has nothing to do with growth and development. Had the kaveri flowed perennially 80% would be still under developed. It took 50 yrs to be realize by the people that they cannot survive by agriculture and hence sought educated and sought jobs

I would confidentiality say only because of reservation my state is in such a developed state. Only people like you are against the reservation. We are not against brahmins. Several Brahmins are in a leadership position in software firms. So you have no reason to say only reservation is the cause for failure in drdo projects.

 

[R. Singh]

Govt should ink deal with France allowing Safran to set up engine plant in India ! GTRE+HAL+ Safran should first certify Kaveri 2.0 (80+) KN for Trainers and twin engine ORCA to replace Jaguar fighter ! Then develop a 90Kn engine for Tejas-1A (97 on order) and 125 KN engine for AMCA before 2026 & 2035)

 

[Sandeep]

But we can surely investigate why HAL didn’t deliver the trainers on time, right?

Yes absolutely. They should do that and find out the reasons for the delay or problems on their side or not.

 

[Anant]

It depends because if you eliminate the top command and major cities then it’s hard for them to respond. Also if we hit their own nuclear weapons stockpile then it increases the damage even more. This gives an advantage and we can use the BMD to kill any of their SLBM.

In theory, yes. In practice, a strike like that pretty much defeats the whole point of a decapitation strike, and moves things very quickly into the realm of full-scale attacks.

 

[Sandeep]

In theory, yes. In practice, a strike like that pretty much defeats the whole point of a decapitation strike, and moves things very quickly into the realm of full-scale attacks.

But if they hit China's own nuclear stockpiles or plants then it will increase their damage. We need the ability to launch a range of nuclear weapons on them and get it

 

[Anant]

But if they hit China's own nuclear stockpiles or plants then it will increase their damage. We need the ability to launch a range of nuclear weapons on them and get it

Nuclear weapons don't detonate just like that. There is a very specific sequence of events that needs to happen.

Keeping aside the fact that most of the stockpile of any nation would also be kept at some relatively secretive locations, suppose you do hit such a location. What will happen is that the other warheads will only contribute to the radiation spreading. It won't affect the damage itself.

Moreover, the moment you do that, you are irrevocably down the road of MAD. It looks sound in theory, but is not workable practically.

 

[Dr. Saptarishi Chatterjee]

If the rate of delivery is 2 per 6 month, then 6 , then 2, then we will receive 80 Tejas by 2040, I don't think HAL will be able to deliver 83 Tejas by 2029. The most probable picture is HAL will deliver only 40 Tejas by 2029, then the 40 MK1 will be upgraded to MK1A and By then MK2 will come by 2030. But by the same time our neighbors will acquire 5th Gen, therefore MK2 will be cancelled and Either a 5th Gen AMCA will be procured in small numbers 2 sqadrons and MRFA deliveries will also start, most likely Rafale..