HAL Considers Reserved F404 Engines to Power the Initial Tejas Mk-1A Batch amid GE Delays

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) acquisition of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A has encountered another setback due to delays in engine deliveries from General Electric (GE). Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the aircraft's manufacturer, is now preparing to install used engines as a temporary solution, casting further doubt on the November delivery timeline.

A defence official revealed, "Not a single engine has been received so far. They are now expected to be delivered from September onwards." To mitigate the delay, HAL, in collaboration with the IAF, has devised a plan to equip the initial batch of LCA-Mk1A jets with Category-2, or used, engines until the new GE F-404 engines arrive.

The Defence Ministry signed a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL for 83 LCA-Mk1A fighters in February 2021, followed by a $716 million contract with GE Aviation for 99 F404 engines in August 2021. The original delivery schedule stipulated three LCA-Mk1A jets by February 2024, with 16 aircraft per year for the following five years.

GE Aerospace acknowledged the "unprecedented supply chain pressures" plaguing the aerospace industry and assured that they are working with HAL and suppliers to resolve constraints and deliver the F404-IN20 engines as soon as possible.

While manufacturing of the jets is ongoing at HAL, the engine delay remains the primary obstacle. Officials remain optimistic that a small batch of jets can be delivered swiftly once a sufficient number of engines are received, with a revised goal of delivering at least one LCA-Mk1A by year-end and eight to nine jets by the end of the fiscal year.

The delay is a cause for concern for the IAF, as the LCA is slated to form a significant portion of its fleet in the coming decades. The LCA-Mk1A is crucial for arresting the decline in fighter squadron strength and subsequently increasing it.

In addition to the 83 Mk1A aircraft on order, the Defence Ministry has granted preliminary approval for the procurement of another 97 LCA-Mk1A, bringing the total to 180 Mk1A jets alongside 220 jets of the Mk1 variant. The combined cost of the 180 Mk1As is estimated at ₹1.15 lakh crore.

Furthermore, a larger and more capable LCA-Mk2, powered by GE F-414 engines, is under development. A deal to license manufacture the F-414 engines in India is in its final stages, with the IAF committing to procuring around 120 LCA-Mk2 aircraft.

 

[Shanker]

Is there a possibility to call for alternatives, say, European E300 or its enhanced versions?
Alternatively, can HAL arrange a temporary assembly line, and receive the CKD Kits from GE as a supplementary supply if it helps?

 

[wallisk]

Is there a possibility to call for alternatives, say, European E300 or its enhanced versions?
Alternatively, can HAL arrange a temporary assembly line, and receive the CKD Kits from GE as a supplementary supply if it helps?

If one is ready to shell out the moolah that Europeans wants for their engines and ToT's then, one can go ahead and do this... EJ200 is 1.6 times costlier than GEF404 engines...

 

[sandy 007]

What i think buy RR Engine and do little bit R&D and fix it at least two competitor should be there and HAL should use both kind of engine ,This way we will not face any delays nor any randyrona on engine. This way RR also wants to sell its engine take some hot core technology from them also. This is like single vendor situation for India. If we relly wants to increase our production then we will have to take step so that there should not be sabotaging on engine by any player.Nam bade hai darshan chote hai.

 

[Sandeep]

Currently all of the engines are made in the USA and any delays in supplying them creates problems for us. But HAL should still keep production of the jets going and increase the amount of indigenous content, equipment and technology.

 

[Nvs rao]

No body knows that kaveri engine tests by safron was cleared and approved in 2019 but what is stopping to integrate the engine for trials further for Tejas.
but no information available in the media or any where. Every time giving sensational type of news that Tejas mk-2, AMCA, MRFA, and navy Tejas like news appear to divert the real issue.
even china integrating it's stealth fighter jets with in 2 to 3 years. here is testing 5 years trails 5 years integration another 5 years what is the method or system working behind this

 

[Nvs rao]

Kaveri is a failure. It won’t work as long as GTRE is involved.

Who told you that are you fj engine expert these kaveri miniature model working with drones and succeeded.safron given certification for this engine as approved.
intentionally this project is delaying for foreign engine suppliers for kickbacks

 

[Nvs rao]

Correct.. still we r salivating for imported platforms, still neglecting to invest in R&D in big way and still lacking the vision to partner private sector in R&D & manufacturing by incentives, assured demands & hand holding. We need atmanirbharata in a holistic manner & in a true sense

But who give kickbacks ones kaveri integrated Tejas production in full speed so unable to buy raffales, this old outdated f-404 and20 years back f-414 engines that is the reason behind all the game

 

[Nvs rao]

Most of the progress with Tejas MK1A has been made and developed in the last 10 years. Before that 30 years were wasted on doing nothing except make plans on papers.

Tejas also made by scratch to fighter jet in last 10 years hahaha

 

[Man-ju]

Assuming that HAL is professional industry and given the current volatile geopolitical situations, isn't it HAL's responsibility to keep all the spares and key components in sufficient numbers to overcome unexpected disruptions? Ironically IAF has no alternate options either. Then there are fanboys who call IAF as scrap collectors or import loving force.

 

[Man-ju]

For all you Amreeki maal lovers. Russia is not the only one that does not deliver products on time. When the time comes, even our bosom buddies and strategic partners can give you the shaft.

Let's talk about S400 and INS Chakra 3 deliveries.

 

[Sandeep]

Tejas also made by scratch to fighter jet in last 10 years hahaha

It’s true. Before then what progress was made? After first flight the corrupt jihadi party did nothing and left it to rust. After the B J P came they fixed the issues and managed to make it combat worthy. Check the timeline and then reality will hit you.

 

[Akshat]

Who told you that are you fj engine expert these kaveri miniature model working with drones and succeeded.safron given certification for this engine as approved.
intentionally this project is delaying for foreign engine suppliers for kickbacks

Who said Kaveri is working on drones? Show me a single official comment.

And since you brought up Safran, read the whole thing. They said that the entire hot core is useless and it can be used with Tejas only and only if the entire hot core is replaced with M88s core.

It does seem like the project is delayed and someone bribed GTRE to make sure the engine never works. Intentional sabotage.

 

[wallisk]

Just wondering if it is possible for HAL to go with a different engine (from GE or from a different vendor)which is more readily available. Will the time spent on integrating and testing that new engine be more or less than the delay we are expecting now in F404 deliveries?

GEF414 engines manufactured by HAL BUT, we might need to wait for another 5 years for deliveries to start.. Other ONLY option left is the costlier EJ200 from EuroJet GmBh..

Again on this subject, I very strongly feel a TEF MK3 Tejas without Any Canards using Sea Wasp RD33MK3OVT TVC nozzles engines be developed very quickly. Push Russia for local manufacturing of same engines!

 

[wallisk]

I smell intentional sabotage by ge.

HAL already rcvd 75 GEF404 engines. They have used up might be 40 engines or so.. AT least 30 engines arestill there for testing MK1A jets!

 

[Dr. Venkateswara Rao. Korasiga]

As long as US plays the game of armtwisting in the name of freedom of speach, either supporting Khalistan or making a Christian State in Manipur Indians won't trust US. Don't underestimate Indians. All are not pappus.

 

[Andy]

What happened to the 75 they delivered. Hardly 45 used so far for all we know.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

Start a second production line with EJ -200 90kn engine for the next 97 aircraft order . GE will automatically increase production .

 

[Oleg Olkha]

license, sure!
No, no, GE can`t handle the pace. "The Government of Israel has requested to buy up to fifty (50) new F-15IA multi-role fighter aircraft, as well as Mid-Life Update modification kits for its existing twenty-five (25) F-15I multi-role fighter aircraft; one hundred twenty (120) F110-GE-129 engines;(!) etc, etc...

 

[Raakbas]

I don't believe a word of GE's excuses. The engines are being delayed due to US pressuring India to severe ties with Russia and not to take BRICS forward or talk to China when it is bending over backwards to reach out to India. From now on India will have to deal with this constant headache from the US.

When our PM went to Russia a lot of things were put on the table like a Sukoi 30 MKI production line with technology transfer under Make in India scheme. There was the offer to manufacture civilian aircrafts in India with transfer of technology under Make in India. Russia wanted to buy all kinds of ammunition from India. Russia is setting up a factory to manufacture "Mango" armour for the military again with technology transfer. Indian PM shared his ideas about the BRICS currency, Russia discussed it's preliminary plans it has in mind for the same, China is working on its proposal and will share them shortly. Decisions will be by consenses only. Except India everybody in BRICS is in a hurry to dump the dollar for trade between themselves as US pressure will start building on them including China. So India has to ready for special attention ( pressure) from the US.

The North South Corridor has started functioning between Russia and India via Chabbhar Port in India. The Port under Indian Management has shown enormous growth. Even Iranians are pleasantly surprised. The branch road to Afghanistan is also open and functioning. The Taliban have already started exporting dry fruits to India. They want Indian medicines to be shipped in bulk quantities because of Pakistan's frequent border closures as punishment.

Our PM Modiji went to Russia to discuss bilateral matters between our countries. US pressure started building even before he could land in Russia. First it was the US Embassy in India releasing a vague statement. Then it was Kurt Cambell, in charge of Indo Pacific. Then it was Anthony Blinken. Then it was Jake Sullivan. " In partnerships there can be nothing like strategic autonomy" Sullivan said. My dear India every cell in my body says flee the US. They are upto no good except for some H1B visas and opening a Development Centre. We better start searching for new engines for Tejas 1A.

Iran wants India and Russia to do a joint study to build a parallel railway line connecting the Caspian coast and Afghanistan to Chabbhar as more goods can be transported. What has DARPA done in India? It has not put forward a single project or manufactured a pin in India in the last 6 years. Rumour is Turkey is tired of waiting to get into EU for the past 20 years. It has met every EU standard yet it is not admitted. It wants to join BRICS and if that happens it wants to quit NATO too.

 

[Oleg Olkha]

It's a done deal... https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/israel-f-15ia-and-f-15i-aircraft

 

[bonito]

As said multiple times earlier there is still 33 engines in inventory. Total delivery is 85 not 75. That's false news. 42 mk1 - 8 trainers ( various stages of completion) = 35 engines. 2 used for LRU testing.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

If GE take it very easy on delays of delivering F404 engines then HAL should spell out customer terms and conditions clearly in any future dealings with the Americans. Just imagine if it is time of confrontation with the chinese I don't think the Americans are even bothered. Indian negotiators should be wary of the Americans when dealing with any purchase of military hardware.

 

[bonito]

So what happened to 33 engines ? Only 42 has been incorporated into jets. Plus 8 allocated for trainers that leaves us with 33 of 85 delivered. Yes 85 not 75 engines. This number read put by HAL themselves last year.

 

[kumar]

This is what happens when we are dependant on foreign countries for our defence needs.

 

[Dhamija]

Game plan to postpone up to coming election
Next govt. will decide deliver or not

 

[KapilKrBharat]

Apparently, same happened during ISRO's initial stage. Now ISRO is master of technology. I trust our countrymen will bring a solution like ISRO and then will triumph the sky.. Till than try hard..

 

[sishir]

If Russia is an issue which can be then the whole Teja project is in trouble. In today's geo political situation with 2 super powers US and China having cold war 2.0 with Russia behind China. We have to go full with one camp. Standing with one feet on each side will bring these problems. Yes indian scientific babus must leave with pension. Private Industry is the solution. The armed forces should give there specifications and the private Industry will source and make in India within the time and price agreed with GOI.

 

[puggleski]

What is saddening about this entire saga is that HAL will end up holding the baby ( or the shell of a baby, sans engine ), GoI will snap at HAL for botching this, the funding will decrease, and engineers will be demotivated. THAT is the opportunity pvt sector is waiting for. They will empty out HAL of whatever talent there is and ensure a smooth transition between the old guard and the young Turks is impossible.

 

[Dr. Saptarishi Chatterjee]

How many reserve engine HAL has...maximum 8 to 9, remember HAL has to deliver 5 trainers and if there are 4 spare engines it will be a face saver just for the time being. Its Confirmed that GE will not be supplying The engines any time soon, and if they deliver the engines they will be doing @ 1 or max 2 engines per 6 months. If IAF is satisfied then all is well...🤣🤣