The ability of state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been severely affected due to the delays in the supply of F404 engines by General Electric. The delay has led to pushing of delivery timelines and slowing production, even as the IAF is facing a major shortage of fighter squadrons.
Reports now emerge that GE has supplied the sixth F404-IN20 engine to HAL.
News reports by The Print and The Hindu, citing sources, confirmed that GE has handed over the sixth engine against the order from 2021, although HAL sources have been quoted as saying that they have yet to receive the engine in India. The HAL sources said the handover could have taken place in the US.
Reports also suggest that the West Asia war could have impacted the delivery of the engines.
Sources in the defence establishment told The Print that GE has attributed the delay in supplies to the continuing US–Israel–Iran war.
“The sixth F404-IN20 engine was handed over in the US. The handing over happens in the US, and it will be brought here through freight," The Hindu report said, quoting the HAL spokesperson, adding that a specific timeline of when the engine would reach India was not mentioned because of the ongoing war.
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HAL was slated to receive 12 engines by the end of the previous financial year, but only six have been delivered so far, including one that is yet to reach India.
It is also learnt that the HAL has imposed penalties under the provision of Liquidated Damages on GE Aviation for delay in deliveries of the engines.
In November, despite the delays in delivery, HAL had signed a mega deal to procure 113 jet engines for Tejas. Under the deal, the delivery of the F404-GE-IN20 engines will begin from 2027, and the supplies will have to be completed by 2032, officials had said.
