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In a significant development for India’s indigenous aviation capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to receive the fifth General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine by the second week of December 2025.
Sources close to the supply chain have confirmed that this delivery marks a pivotal moment in stabilizing the production line for the Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
Boosting Indigenous Production
The arrival of this engine is a critical step in overcoming recent delays. It signals a renewed momentum from GE Aerospace, which is expected to bring the total number of engines delivered this year to 12.This accelerated supply chain is essential for HAL to meet its target of equipping the Indian Air Force (IAF) with its first full squadron of the advanced fighters by early 2026.
The delivery timeline for the F404-IN20 engines has been a central focus for the Tejas programme. Following a two-year delay caused by global supply chain issues and the restart of GE’s facility in Hooksett, New Hampshire, the flow of engines has steadily improved throughout 2025:
- March 25: First engine arrived after a five-year hiatus.
- July 14: Second unit delivered.
- August & October: Third and fourth engines arrived, respectively.
Technical Superiority of the F404-IN20
The incoming fifth engine is part of the uprated F404 family, specifically tailored for the operational needs of the IAF. Shipped via specialised air cargo, this engine is designed to deliver a thrust of 84-85 kN with an afterburner.Key technical enhancements include:
- Advanced Materials: Usage of single-crystal turbine blades and a high-flow fan for better performance.
- FADEC System: A Full-Authority Digital Engine Control system ensures higher reliability, particularly in the "hot-and-high" conditions often found along India’s northern and western borders.
- Maintenance: An "on-condition" maintenance profile allows for over 6,500 cycles between major overhaul events, significantly increasing the operational availability of the aircraft for missions ranging from the Himalayas to the maritime theatre.
Strategic Interventions and Future Outlook
The improved delivery cadence is partly attributed to high-level diplomatic engagements. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s intervention in August 2025, during interactions with U.S. defence officials, played a key role in streamlining the supply.Consequently, GE has committed to supplying 12 engines in 2025, with plans to scale up to 20 engines annually starting in 2026.
Discussions are also underway to potentially increase this to 24 engines per year by 2027 through local manufacturing offset clauses. This increase is vital for HAL’s goal of producing 16 to 24 jets per year, which is necessary to replace the ageing MiG-21 Bison fleet and raise the IAF’s squadron strength to 42 by 2035.
Strengthening Defence Ties
Adding to this positive trajectory, a major commercial milestone was achieved recently.On November 7, 2025, a definitive contract worth $1.08 billion (approx. ₹9,000 crore) was signed for the procurement of 113 additional F404 engines.
This deal not only secures the long-term requirement for the 97 additional Tejas Mk1A jets ordered by the IAF but also reinforces the technology transfer agreements for the more powerful F414-INS6 engines.
The F414 engines, slated to be manufactured in India with 80% transfer of technology (ToT), will power future platforms like the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), aiming to reduce India's dependency on foreign imports to below 20% by 2030.
For the immediate future, however, the focus remains on the Mk1A. With the fifth engine set to arrive, HAL’s divisions in Bengaluru and Nashik are gearing up to complete the production of the fifth aircraft by January, ensuring the programme stays on its revised track.
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