GE to Begin Delivering Two F-404 Engines Per Month to HAL from November, Reviving Tejas Mark-1A Production

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to receive a much-needed boost to its Tejas Mark-1A fighter jet production with the resumption of GE-F404 engine deliveries from General Electric.

Starting in November, GE has committed to delivering at least two engines per month, addressing a delay that has hampered the production schedule of this crucial aircraft.

HAL is currently manufacturing 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets under a ₹46,898 crore contract signed with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in February 2021. These indigenous light combat aircraft are a vital part of India's efforts to modernize its air power. However, the delayed delivery of 99 GE-F404 engines, originally slated to begin in March 2024, created a significant bottleneck in the production process.

This delay, attributed to global supply chain disruptions impacting the aerospace sector, forced HAL to adjust its production timelines. The renewed commitment from GE to deliver two engines monthly is expected to revitalize the program and enable HAL to meet its delivery targets.

The Tejas Mark-1A program is a critical component of the IAF's modernization strategy. These advanced fighter jets are expected to significantly enhance the IAF's operational capabilities. The timely delivery of these aircraft is therefore of paramount importance.

While the resumption of engine deliveries is a positive development, it is worth noting that challenges remain. Maintaining a consistent supply of engines will be essential for HAL to sustain production momentum and avoid further delays. The IAF, meanwhile, eagerly awaits the arrival of these advanced jets to bolster its fleet.

This news comes as the IAF is reportedly considering an additional order of 97 Tejas aircraft, signaling its confidence in the indigenously developed platform. With increased production capacity and a steady supply of engines, HAL aims to meet the growing demand for the Tejas and contribute to India's self-reliance in defense technology.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

India has 12-18 spare engines. GE engine delay is worrisome but not the only reason for Delay. HAL must pull up its socks.

 

[M S Chatterji]

If this news is true then only one word comes to mind and that is "Great".

 

[Sunil]

1. These engines are obsolete.. Why are at buying them
2. What does it say about Americans
3. Why accept an order you can't service
4. Why is it design but versatile enough to accommodate other engines.

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

This comes a day after Predator deal, wonder if these events are connected!

 

[Sudha]

Now some commentators will cry for delay by GE in delivering the engines, a delay of only 8-12 months. But they will be silent on the delays of HAL even if the delay is five years or more. Such irrational comments just shows how biased they are. Am still of the opinion that the delay is more of a geopolitical move by US deep state.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

their should be a press conference every week at the MoD, for giving status updates on major defence procurement efforts. Chairmen from HAL, MDL, L&T, DPSUs etc should go their and give status updates to the nation.

 

[Akshat]

1. These engines are obsolete.. Why are at buying them
2. What does it say about Americans
3. Why accept an order you can't service
4. Why is it design but versatile enough to accommodate other engines.

1. Might be obsolete for US, but they are still really good and we don't have anything even close to it. Most of the world doesn't have anything close to them.
2. Nothing much. They had closed down the line and are now opening it for us. This shows their dedication in fact.
3. HAL does it all the time. In fact, unnamed reports say that GE had already informed about this to HAL while taking the order but HAL didn't inform GoI about this.
4. You can't fit just any engine on a plane. No plane can be designed like that. Tejas, though, was designed for 2 different engines. Kaveri and F404. Kaveri proved to be a flop show, thus leaving F404 as the only option.

 

[AK S]

India has 12-18 spare engines. GE engine delay is worrisome but not the only reason for Delay. HAL must pull up its socks.

Propaganda from GE apologist.

Enlighten please. How did you arrive at the number? In your counting please account for engines used for data collection for fighter design.

Even last two MK 1 trainers are stuck due to lack of GE F404. Mk1A first flight took place with the borrowed IAF reserve engine.

IAF doesn’t want fighters with series B engines. Last time I heard, it’s threatening to shut the production line involving some 500 odd vendors.

 

[AK S]

Now some commentators will cry for delay by GE in delivering the engines, a delay of only 8-12 months. But they will be silent on the delays of HAL even if the delay is five years or more. Such irrational comments just shows how biased they are. Am still of the opinion that the delay is more of a geopolitical move by US deep state.

As far as Mk1A is concerned, HAL has been pretty good. Managed first flight in 3 years flat. And with all the development cost, price of the entire fighter for a external customer is about $43m.

For the folks who doesn’t know (not for you as you are very well informed and here only to build narrative): Dassault took five years and $1.5B, just to implement all of India specific enhancements … that comes to $42m per IAF Rafale and five years just for the modifications.

 

[GMR]

This comes a day after Predator deal, wonder if these events are connected!

It always was brother.. however still "expecting" !!

 

[ramdas]

This engine doesn't qualify for the Atmanirbhar policy of the government or just a gift to GE with nothing much in return, not even an MRO facility

 

[sanket]

India has 12-18 spare engines. GE engine delay is worrisome but not the only reason for Delay. HAL must pull up its socks.

Reserve Engine are meant for IOC & FOC variant & some will b use for Ground testing ,Not all are of GE-404 (84 kN) some are old model genrating less Thrust and that engine are from old order of 75 , for Tejas MK1A in 2021 99 GE-404 was signed & from that lot only Integration will b done

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Propaganda from GE apologist.

Enlighten please. How did you arrive at the number? In your counting please account for engines used for data collection for fighter design.

Even last two MK 1 trainers are stuck due to lack of GE F404. Mk1A first flight took place with the borrowed IAF reserve engine.

IAF doesn’t want fighters with series B engines. Last time I heard, it’s threatening to shut the production line involving some 500 odd vendors.

India received 75, GEF404 engines till date(google it out). How many Tejas MK1's are produced? add that to 19(2-TD's and 6 prototypes, 8 LSPs, 3 Naval -prototypes) you will get a number between 51-59. Do the math and do remember to add 7 more IN20 engines. They were used in 7 out of 8 LSPs, they can be serviced and used again un till you have new ones.

I am not saying GE is not at fault. What I am saying is HAL is missing timelines along with GE. Still the older order is not fulfilled by HAL.

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

It always was brother.. however still "expecting" !!

They could repeat the same sh*t with F-414s. And the French want to suck us bone dry. Only long term option is Kaveri, and for that MoD doesn't want to invest in a dedicated testing platform. Shame! we can make nukes and land on the moon, but when it comes to jet engines, no luck.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

It seems the GE assembly took time to revive old assembly line.They could transfer that line to us.

 

[sanket]

India received 75, GEF404 engines till date(google it out). How many Tejas MK1's are produced? add that to 19(2-TD's and 6 prototypes, 8 LSPs, 3 Naval -prototypes) you will get a number between 51-59. Do the math and do remember to add 7 more IN20 engines. They were used in 7 out of 8 LSPs, they can be serviced and used again un till you have new ones.

I am not saying GE is not at fault. What I am saying is HAL is missing timelines along with GE. Still the older order is not fulfilled by HAL.

when was 6 prototypes was delivered , when was 8 -LSP were delivered & when was IOC & FOC delivered , they requires Change of Engine in Mid-life upgrade ,let say a Fighter jet req 3.5 Engine in 40 years so every 8 to 10 years Engine need to b replaced second not all Engines are of same Thrust some are less Than 84 older model , for Tejas MK1A engine deal was sigend in 2021 with 99 GE-404 Engines

 

[Enforcer]

This comes a day after Predator deal, wonder if these events are connected!

No, there was already a detailed article long back saying GE won’t be able to deliver until November.

Drones are made by general atomics
Engines are made by General Electric.

Two completely different companies.

 

[Enforcer]

They could repeat the same sh*t with F-414s. And the French want to suck us bone dry. Only long term option is Kaveri, and for that MoD doesn't want to invest in a dedicated testing platform. Shame! we can make nukes and land on the moon, but when it comes to jet engines, no luck.

Listen F404 is outdated and no current aircraft in us military uses them. F414 is used in f18 super hornets. But the f18 is being slowly phased out. Order soon if you want those engines because no company is gonna keep waiting and hoping that maybe one day India is gonna order. They will shut down production if they don’t get orders. Simple

 

[Strongman]

HAL should have had partial assembly of planes ready....having all this delay. If not then they are the issue.....

 

[Anant]

India received 75, GEF404 engines till date(google it out). How many Tejas MK1's are produced? add that to 19(2-TD's and 6 prototypes, 8 LSPs, 3 Naval -prototypes) you will get a number between 51-59. Do the math and do remember to add 7 more IN20 engines. They were used in 7 out of 8 LSPs, they can be serviced and used again un till you have new ones.

I am not saying GE is not at fault. What I am saying is HAL is missing timelines along with GE. Still the older order is not fulfilled by HAL.

A bit of context on the number of Tejas jets built to date. The Air Force has 33 jets today. Add to that the one loss, two Technology Demonstrators, six Prototypes, three Naval Prototypes, and 8 LSP jets, and you get a total production run of 53 jets. Assuming that 20% of the jets have seen one engine replacement, that brings the number to 64. That still leaves 11 engines.

Now, the IAF would be keeping most of those 11 engines. However, considering that HAL promised to deliver jets using Category "B" engines, if they actually could, we have the engines.

As you said, this is up to HAL. Now, just how much truth they have been speaking will become clear once F404 deliveries commence.

 

[Tls Mani]

Two engines are like giving coins to a beggar. In a big contract delivery schedules are paramount & excuses such supply chain issues etc are bogus justifications