India Acquires GE-F404 Engine to Power Fighter Planes

India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 1A is set to gain momentum with the delivery of the second GE F404 engine by GE Aerospace to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This development comes amid the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) urgent need to replenish its fighter squadrons with advanced indigenous aircraft.

Background

In August 2021, HAL signed a deal worth ₹5,375 crore with GE Aerospace to supply 99 F404 engines for powering the Tejas Mk 1A jets. The IAF had placed an order for 83 Tejas Mk 1A aircraft, with plans underway to procure 97 more units valued at around ₹67,000 crore. The first engine was delivered in April 2025, after significant delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions.

Significance

The induction of Tejas Mk 1A is crucial as the IAF retires ageing platforms like the MiG-21. With squadron strength depleting, timely production and deployment of Tejas jets are vital for maintaining operational readiness and strategic air superiority.

Key Features

The Tejas Mk 1A features several upgrades over its predecessor, including,

• AESA Radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array)
• Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite with jamming capabilities
• Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat abilities with missiles like Derby and indigenous ASTRA
• Ongoing testing of the ASTRA missile integration highlights growing indigenous capabilities

Production and Delivery Timeline

HAL aims to deliver 12 aircraft by December 2025, with six already lined up. Each engine takes approximately one month to be integrated and tested. Officials stated that 10 engines are expected from GE by the end of this year, enabling HAL to produce 16 aircraft in 2026, provided the supply schedule is met. The full delivery of 83 jets is targeted for completion by 2030.

Challenges

The primary challenge has been delays in engine delivery, which impacted the production schedule. The HAL chief cited that missed deadlines from GE were the key reason for the delay in starting deliveries initially planned for March 2024. The Indian Defence Minister has recently urged the US to expedite engine supply.