GE Aerospace to deliver 3 F404 engines to HAL in August amid Tejas Mk1A delays: What we know | Today’s news

US defense major GE Aerospace said on Thursday that it delivered three F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in August for India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.

The latest delivery comes as HAL continues to receive F404 engines for the LCA Tejas Mk1A programme, which has seen delays due to supply constraints.

“GE Aerospace has delivered three F404-IN20 engines to HAL in August 2026. We are proud to partner with HAL and the Indian Air Force to power India’s indigenous fighter jets,” the company said in a statement.

Former HAL chairman DK Sunil had told ANI in April that GE had committed to supply 20 F404 engines between June and December 2026. The availability of these engines was a major factor behind the delay in the production and delivery of the LCA Mk1A aircraft.

“We have five engines, the sixth engine is ready now. It will be picked up soon. When I visited GE last time, the assurance was that they will give us 20 engines in the second half of this calendar year, between June and December. This is a figure from GE and this is a pessimistic number; they told me they should be better,” Sunil said.

While HAL has said its production line is ready, aircraft deliveries remain dependent on timely delivery of the GE F404 engines.

HAL also imposed contractual penalties on GE for delays in engine deliveries.

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“The contract contains a provision that liquidated damages will be imposed on GE Aviation if there is a delay in the delivery of the F-404 light combat aircraft engines. So the costs are imposed under the contract,” HAL officials said at the time.

The Indian Air Force has placed an order with HAL for 180 LCA Mk1A fighter aircraft.

GE Aerospace resumes F404-IN20 production following new HAL order of 99 engines for Tejas Mk1A

HAL had earlier received a seventh F404-IN20 engine from GE Aerospace for the Tejas Mk1A fighter programme. Under a ₹In 2021, a contract worth 5,375 million crowns was signed for the Tejas Mk1A fleet, GE Aerospace is scheduled to supply HAL with 99 of these engines.

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According to information shared on the GE Aerospace website, the F404-IN20 is a version specially developed for the Indian single-engine fighter. Delivering the highest thrust in the F404 engine family, it features a higher flow fan, single crystal turbine blades and other specialized components.

GE Aerospace describes the F404 as one of the most successful military aircraft engines, with the powerplant used in thousands of combat aircraft worldwide.

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GE Aerospace said it had completed its earlier commitment to HAL by delivering 65 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas LCA program by 2016. As there were no further engine orders at that time, GE subsequently stopped production of the F404-IN20.

The company resumed engine production after HAL placed a fresh order for 99 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas Mk1A LCA in 2021. The production line, which had been inactive for five years, was restarted along with the global engine supply chain.

GE Aerospace said its teams have worked closely with the Tejas program over several years to modify and adapt the F404-IN20 to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force.

According to the company, the F404 engine has proved suitable for the Tejas LCA. During its first test flight in 2008, the aircraft climbed to several altitudes and reached a speed of Mach 1.1.

GE Aerospace described the latest engine delivery as a testament to the achievements of its four-decade partnership with HAL and an indication of the two companies’ potential to support the future of the Indian military.

The US aero engine maker said the delivery marked a significant milestone in its 40-year association with HAL and reflected its commitment to bolster India’s defense capabilities by contributing to the development of next-generation fighters and strengthening the country’s defense manufacturing ecosystem.

GE Aerospace has been involved in military jet propulsion projects in India for several decades. Its cooperation with the country dates back to cooperation with the Aviation Development Agency in the 1980s. In 2004, GE Aerospace’s F404-IN20 was selected to power India’s Tejas single-engine fighter jet, which the company described as a major milestone for both India and GE Aerospace.