HAL receives another GE engine to accelerate Tejas Mk-1A fighter production
New Delhi, July 13
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has received the seventh GE F404-IN20 engine from US aerospace major GE Aerospace for the Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet that the public sector defence major is producing for the Indian Air Force, according to reliable sources.
The arrival of the engine, after a delay of several months, has come as a big relief, as the assembly of Tejas Mk-1A fighters can now be accelerated. Several completed airframes of the fighter aircraft are awaiting engine integration before flight testing and induction into the Indian Air Force.
The F404-IN20 engine powers both the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants. Delays in engine deliveries from the US manufacturer have emerged as the biggest bottleneck affecting HAL's production schedule and the IAF's modernisation plans.
Under the existing Rs 48,000 crore contract, the IAF has ordered 83 Tejas Mk-1A fighters, while an additional order for 97 aircraft has expanded the planned fleet to 180 fighters. To support this programme, GE Aerospace has committed to increasing production and supplying 24-26 F404 engines annually from 2026.
HAL has also expanded its manufacturing capacity with multiple assembly lines in Bengaluru and Nashik to accelerate aircraft production. If engine deliveries continue as scheduled, HAL is expected to begin delivering the first batch of Tejas Mk-1A fighters by late 2026.
The sixth engine, which was delivered earlier by GE Aerospace, has now been cleared for operational use following the rectification of a technical snag that had been detected during testing carried out at HAL. GE Aerospace experts worked on the engine to remove the defects, after which HAL completed its own verification checks. The engine has now been declared fit for operational use.
Meanwhile, India has also submitted a formal Letter of Request to France for the procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force in a deal estimated at roughly $31 billion. The acquisition is a major step towards strengthening the IAF's declining squadron strength.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some good news for our defence sector! The Tejas is already performing well in IAF service, and the Mk-1A with better avionics and radar will be a game changer. But at this rate, the squadron strength is still falling. We need both Tejas and Rafale to fill the gap. Glad to hear production capacity has been expanded in Bengaluru and Nashik. 👏
As someone who follows global defence tech, I think it's smart that India is balancing domestic production with foreign imports. The Tejas is solid for light combat roles, but the Rafale deal shows India isn't putting all eggs in one basket. Engine delays are frustrating for any program though – HAL needs to streamline supply chain management. Good to see GE ramping up production.
Rs 48,000 crore for 83 jets and now 97 more? That's a huge investment. I hope our tax money is well spent and the Tejas lives up to expectations. But these engine delays are exactly why we need self-reliance. Our scientists and engineers should be supported to develop an indigenous engine. China is already producing their own engines for the J-20. We must catch up!
Great news but I'm cautiously optimistic. The sixth engine had a technical snag that needed GE experts to fix? That's concerning. If we're making 83+97 jets, HAL should have enough spare engines and qualified technicians to handle issues without waiting for US specialists every time. Still, proud of our homegrown fighter project. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Interesting development. The Tejas is a
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