GE to Deliver 2 More F404 Engines to HAL from July, Committed to Deliver 12 Engines by Year End

GE Aerospace has reaffirmed its dedication to India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A program, committing to a revised schedule that will see 12 F404-IN20 engines supplied to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by the close of 2025. This development is a significant encouragement for the indigenous fighter jet initiative.

The first of the 99 engines under contract was delivered on March 25, 2025. Despite a mutually agreed short pause in the delivery timeline, GE plans to ship two additional engines beginning in July.

This schedule is anticipated to enable HAL to make the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) first Tejas Mk1A squadron operational by the end of the year, a crucial move to address the nation's diminishing fighter squadron numbers.

The F404-IN20 engine, specifically adapted with high thrust for the Tejas Mk1A, is central to India's self-reliant fighter aircraft program.

The initial engine's delivery in March 2025 concluded an approximate two-year delay. This setback was attributed to worldwide supply chain disruptions and the challenges of restarting the F404-IN20 production line, which had been inactive since 2016 after fulfilling a previous order for 65 engines for the earlier Tejas Mk1 version. This first engine reached HAL facilities on April 3, 2025.

With a commitment to deliver two more engines each month starting from July, GE is set to provide a total of 12 engines by December 31, 2025. This figure includes the unit already delivered plus an additional 11 engines, aligning with HAL's target to manufacture at least eight Tejas Mk1A aircraft—comprising six fighters and two trainers—which is enough to establish the IAF's first squadron of 18 aircraft.

A brief interruption in deliveries, mutually decided by GE and HAL, was aimed at stabilising the supply chain. This chain had experienced difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a five-year interval in orders between 2016 and 2021.

Overcoming these obstacles, GE's enhanced delivery strategy, facilitated by its proprietary FLIGHT DECK operating model, aims to ensure a consistent supply of engines to maintain operations at HAL’s production facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik.

HAL has reportedly already finished assembling three Tejas Mk1A airframes, with the aircraft LA 5033 undertaking its inaugural flight in March 2024 using reserve Category-B engines. Furthermore, 11 additional jets are in advanced stages of assembly.

The 12 engines scheduled for delivery in 2025 will empower HAL to achieve its objective of delivering 12 jets by the year's conclusion, a target confirmed by HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil during Aero India 2025.

The Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded version of the Light Combat Aircraft, featuring improved avionics, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and superior electronic warfare capabilities, making it vital for the IAF's modernisation plans.

The timely arrival of these engines is critical as the IAF currently operates with 31 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.5, and is in the process of retiring its aging MiG-21 fleet.

The significance of the program is highlighted by an order for 83 aircraft signed in February 2021, valued at ₹48,000 crore, and an in-principle approval for an additional 97 jets.

GE’s commitment to increase engine production to 20 units annually from 2026 will further bolster HAL’s expanded manufacturing capacity of 24 jets per year. This will allow the IAF to induct one complete squadron and partially establish a second one each year, significantly enhancing its operational preparedness and national defence capabilities.

 

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[R. Singh]

We should ink deal to make Ge-404 engines along with G-414 engines ! It will help our fighter jet making well in time !

 

[sanket]

I was saying GE has delivered only one GE-404 engine and hasn't delivered the second engine yet, and now it is delaying from the earlier agreed one engine delivery per month. At least one engine per month was expected to be delivered.

As per the contract, it has to deliver 16 per year, which translates to more than one per month. But from March to July, that means in five months, GE will deliver only 3 GE-404 engines. I think France's offer will be used as pressure tactics on GE, which is delaying the GE-404 engine supply.

The question is, from March to December, how will GE deliver 12 GE-404 engines? If this rate of supply continues, it will take 5 months for delivering 3 engines. What a production rate from GE! This drama from GE is badly impacting further delays on the delivery of Tejas MK1A.

 

[SURESH RAO]

Also place an order for another 200 GE 414 engines for Tejas MK2.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

IAF is going to order 97 more Tejas Mk1A's. Even if Kaveri achieves 55KN + 30KN using afterburner, it will take few years for integration, tests, certifications and production to begin. Meanwhile after current order of F404 engines to GE, it may again shutdown the production line. We should order the F404 engines as early as possible and ask GE to supply 30 engine per year.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

India should not sign any engine deal with GE further. US is very unreliable, and their foreign policy is very temporary. President change, foreign policy changed. The way Trump is behaving, it's crazy. India should sign an engine deal with France and also make Rafale in India along with the engine. M88 engine is a very capable engine, and its derivatives can power both Tejas Mk2 and AMCA. France is comparatively more reliable than US.

 

[Shafted mohammed]

Basically, India has to develop its own engine and the only way is by developing its own test labs, high-altitude labs, and flying test beds. Do everything on your own. Develop your own engines for fighters, then transport planes, and then commercial planes. Kill GE in their prime business. GE sells the same engine for 3 million each to the US Air Force and Navy, and for us, it is 7-10 million. They make a huge markup; kill them in their business. This would be the best punishment. A determined, focused approach with funding is needed.

 

[Chinese eater]

America is not allowing Boeing to set up assembly line in India despite of 1200-1500 jets on order because they said they fear local companies to come up. How India expect even 1% America will share their Fighter jet engine TOT ???

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great that we are going to receive a steady and large supply of engines but will HAL manage to keep up with a double digit supply of the jet? Time will tell but I really hope that HAL does start to manufacture the jets as we need them.

 

[Madan]

First delay by GE and now wait for the next HAL excuse. Stop the free bees and divert those funds for development of our own engine. Even France works under American pressure. Do what ever it takes to develop engine and test beds at home.