Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), on Friday, announced that the company has signed an agreement with General Electric (GE) for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package for the execution of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A aircraft.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd took to social media to announce the deal. The engine deliveries will take place from 2027 to 2032, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd said, adding, "The contract for 97 LCA Mk 1A was signed in September 2025."
The agreement has been signed even as General Electric has been delaying the supply of 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services, for which a contract was signed between the two firms in 2021. The F404-GE-IN20 is the highest thrust variant of the F404 family.
It was only a few weeks ago that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd received the fourth F404 engine for which the contract was signed in 2021. The third engine was received on September 11. According to media reports, HAL is expected to receive 12 General Electric-404 engines from the US by the end of the ongoing financial year.
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Media reports suggest that HAL has assembled a few Tejas Mk1A jets, fitted with reserve engines. According to a company source, a fifth engine is likely to arrive in November.
The delay in the delivery of the engines from the US had resulted in the wait of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the 4.5 generation, all-weather and multi-role fighter aircraft getting longer, even as the fleet strength of the force is at a six-decade low.
In September, the defence ministry signed a contract with HAL for the procurement of 97 LCA Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters at a cost of over Rs. 62,370 crore. According to the defence ministry, the delivery of these aircraft, which will have over 60 per cent indigenous content, would commence during 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years.
LCA Mk1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed and manufactured fighter aircraft.
