GE Pledges Doubled F404 Engine Output for India's Tejas Mk1A, Promise to Deliver 24 Engines Annually from 2027

GE Pledges Doubled F404 Engine Output for India's Tejas Mk1A, Promise to Deliver 24 Engines Annually from 2027


GE Aerospace has provided a significant assurance to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) regarding India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A programme.

The American aviation giant has committed to doubling the production of its F404-IN20 engines from the current rate of 12 units per year to 24 units annually, starting in 2027.

This development follows a challenging 14-month period of delays in engine deliveries which had previously affected HAL's manufacturing schedule for the advanced fighter jets.

Sources have confirmed that GE has recently delivered the first F404 engine of the current batch and is actively working to meet HAL's complete engine requirements, addressing earlier production line difficulties.

The F404-IN20 engine is a specially adapted, high-thrust version of GE's globally recognised F404 engine family, engineered specifically for the single-engine Tejas Mk1A aircraft, providing 84 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust.

This enhanced power is achieved through advanced features such as a higher-flow fan and single-crystal turbine blades, establishing it as the most powerful variant in the F404 series.

These engines are vital for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is looking to bolster its fleet and address a shortage of fighter squadrons. The IAF has an existing order for 83 LCA Mk1A jets, a deal valued at approximately ₹48,000-crore from February 2021. An additional procurement of 97 jets is also under consideration, potentially bringing the total order to 180 aircraft.

To meet this substantial demand, HAL plans to manufacture 24 Tejas Mk1A jets each year, a production rate that is heavily reliant on a consistent supply of engines from GE.

The interruption in F404 engine deliveries, which lasted for 14 months beyond the originally planned schedule of March 2024, was attributed to the reactivation of GE's production line. This line had been inactive for five years due to an order gap between 2016 and 2021.

Restarting production was further complicated by widespread global supply chain disruptions and the necessity to re-certify vendors, an issue GE has reportedly encountered across its aerospace operations.

The first engine from the revised schedule was successfully delivered on March 25, 2025. GE has also committed to supplying another 11 engines by the close of 2025, making a total of 12 for the year.

This initial delivery has enabled HAL to move forward with critical testing and integration processes. Currently, three LCA Mk1A airframes are complete, with another 11 in advanced stages of assembly at HAL facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik.

GE Aerospace's commitment to increase engine production to 24 units annually by 2027 is in step with HAL's objective of delivering between 16 and 24 Tejas Mk1A jets to the IAF each year.

This enhanced engine supply rate is intended to support the timely completion of the existing order for 83 jets, anticipated by 2029, as well as the potential additional order of 97 jets, which are targeted for delivery by the 2031-2032 financial year.

However, the prior delays have already affected the IAF's modernization timeline, with concerns that its fighter squadron strength could decrease to 27 by 2032 if production schedules face further setbacks.

Some analysts have pointed out that GE’s earlier difficulties in foreseeing and managing supply chain challenges, especially after a $716-million contract was signed in August 2021, were concerning given the strategic importance of the Tejas programme for India's national defence, particularly in light of regional security dynamics with China and Pakistan.

The F404-IN20 engine is part of a long-standing relationship; its predecessor, the standard F404 engine, has been the powerplant for the earlier Tejas Mk1 variant since the 1980s, with 65 such engines delivered by 2016.

The renewed and ongoing partnership between GE and HAL, which now extends over four decades, also includes ambitious plans for the future. This includes the co-production of the more powerful F414 engine, which is slated for the upcoming LCA Mk2 and India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

A significant agreement for 80% technology transfer for the F414 engines was signed in 2023, underscoring the depth of this strategic collaboration.
 
GE delivered one engine; when will the second engine be delivered? I am always right. Late wake-up, but I have said it 1,000 times: GE should ramp up the production rate to beyond 28 to 30. HAL will have an assembling rate of over 24. Nashik plant is already operational.

How professional are Western OEMs? Even after signing the international contract, they are searching for the 'Muharat' for delivering the second engine and making slow decisions on ramping up the production rate, that too only to 24. Instead, they should have thought for 28 to 30 engines per year.

GE should shift its supply chain to Bharat instead of South Korea. That will make for speedy delivery of components, and in the future, spare parts requirements will also be met. Remember, I always said one fighter jet in its lifetime requires four engines and extra spare/components for overhaul. Keeping all this in mind, GE should shift the supply chain to Bharat, which they are going to do for GE-414 in the near term to avoid further delay for spares/components in the future.
 
They are afraid that Kaveri is coming. What ever be the production of GE, the second order of 97 Tejas MK1A should have at least fifty percent Kaveri engines.
 
What's wrong with opening a production line in India? This means by the end of 2027, we will have roughly 40 new LCA Mk1A. That is very less. India should consider assembling components directly in India to ramp up fighter production rate.
 
GE is not willing to share technology of the engine, which is even no longer in production, and USA diplomats keep on yelling, "India is our strategic partner, close ally..." All bullshit. For Americans, only money matters. They want others' dependence on USA forever. Russian technology may be a little inferior, but at least they are negotiable.
 
It’s great that they will expedite the delivery but HAL needs to manufacture the jet on time as well but it’s not currently doing that. They aren’t even manufacturing to their maximum capacity and the fear is that we will end up with more engine deliveries before the actual number of jets.

The solution is very simple. HAL should just issue a licence to several private sector companies to manufacture the entire jet. This protects the IPR, technology and boost production numbers.
 
There are talks with Safran to get a replacement. Plus Kaveri is getting focus. GE might lose business.
 
Why now? The US must have smelled that India is buying SU-57, its engines, and its source codes. This must have sent Trump into action mode. It is very unreliable to partner with the US. If another President like Biden comes back, he will definitely sabotage the fulfillment of this deal.
 
To be sure, HAL can always keep building Tejas without the engines and keep the overall production running.
 
What is the update regarding the GE F414 engine deal? Has it been signed or are talks still ongoing? If it delays further, then both Tejas Mk2 and AMCA will be delayed further. On the other side, Pakistan will fly a 5th gen jet by next year, and we are still engaged in talks, meetings, and discussions. Please continue.
Already six to eight F414 engines have been delivered to HAL for prototype development of AMCA and Tejas Mark-2, but I would still prefer to complete negotiations and the deal for it. I do not care even if we pay more because our future projects will be dependent on them.
 
Will take forever. India must work on drone-launched BVRAAM and sign up for Su-57 manufacturing as quickly as possible. The Su-57 can be an export game changer as well. Tejas Mk1A and Mk2 can go slowly until the GaN Uttar radar isn't fully ready.
 
Why now? The US must have smelled that India is buying SU-57, its engines, and its source codes. This must have sent Trump into action mode. It is very unreliable to partner with the US. If another President like Biden comes back, he will definitely sabotage the fulfillment of this deal.
Nothing to do with that. KF-21 was blocking the OEM pipeline. But yes, India should sign up for SU-57 or F-35 quickly.
 
GE is not willing to share technology of the engine, which is even no longer in production, and USA diplomats keep on yelling, "India is our strategic partner, close ally..." All bullshit. For Americans, only money matters. They want others' dependence on USA forever. Russian technology may be a little inferior, but at least they are negotiable.
Pay top dollars and get top tech. But we have never asked them to share F404s tech. GOI requested for F414 and thay are ready to share 80% tech as stated by our PM.
 
GE is not willing to share technology of the engine, which is even no longer in production, and USA diplomats keep on yelling, "India is our strategic partner, close ally..." All bullshit. For Americans, only money matters. They want others' dependence on USA forever. Russian technology may be a little inferior, but at least they are negotiable.
Lol… Russians are negotiable? They promised 70% ToT for Ka-226T, but after 5-7 years of negotiations, they have refused to go beyond 35% (which will also be reached at the end of the production, and will be covered mostly by MRO, paint job, assembly, and such stuff). The US, on the other hand, gives the tech if we pay the right price (like F414).
 
What is the update regarding the GE F414 engine deal? Has it been signed or are talks still ongoing? If it delays further, then both Tejas Mk2 and AMCA will be delayed further. On the other side, Pakistan will fly a 5th gen jet by next year, and we are still engaged in talks, meetings, and discussions. Please continue.
 

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