GE Aerospace has delivered three additional F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), providing further support to the production and delivery of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A programme.
The engines were shipped to HAL in August 2026 and are part of GE Aerospace’s ongoing supply commitment for the Tejas Mk1A fleet. Engine availability has been a key factor affecting the pace of aircraft production, with HAL’s manufacturing infrastructure largely ready to support higher output.
“We are proud to partner with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force to power India’s indigenous fighter jets,” GE Aerospace said.
99 engines contracted for Tejas Mk1A
GE Aerospace is contracted to supply 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL under an agreement signed in 2021, valued at approximately Rs 5,375 crore. The engines are intended for the initial Tejas Mk1A fleet.
The Indian Air Force has ordered 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft from HAL, making timely engine deliveries critical to the programme’s overall production and aircraft handover schedule.
The latest shipment comes as GE works to increase F404-IN20 deliveries following previous supply constraints. Former HAL chairman D K Sunil had said earlier this year that GE had indicated it would deliver around 20 engines during the second half of 2026, with the company expecting to potentially exceed that number.
The three engines delivered in August form part of this planned production ramp-up.
F404-IN20 supply remains critical to production
The F404-IN20 is the powerplant selected for the single-engine Tejas fighter and has been adapted to meet the requirements of the Indian aircraft.
According to GE Aerospace, the F404-IN20 is the highest-thrust variant within the F404 family. It incorporates features including a higher-flow fan, single-crystal turbine blades and specialised components developed for the Indian fighter programme.
The F404 family has extensive experience in military aviation, powering thousands of aircraft worldwide. The F404-IN20 also powered the Tejas during its first flight in 2008.
For HAL, however, the importance of the engine extends beyond its performance. Availability of the powerplant is directly linked to the ability to complete aircraft assembly, integration, testing, and eventual delivery to the Indian Air Force.
Production restarted after five-year gap
The latest engine deliveries are also linked to the revival of F404-IN20 production.
GE Aerospace had previously completed its earlier commitment to HAL in 2016, delivering 65 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas programme. With no additional orders at the time, production of the engine was subsequently stopped.
The situation changed in 2021 when HAL placed the additional order for 99 engines for the Tejas Mk1A. GE then restarted the F404-IN20 production line and re-engaged suppliers across its global supply chain to support the new requirement.
The restart involved rebuilding elements of the supply chain and preparing manufacturing capacity for a programme that had been inactive for several years.
The experience has highlighted the importance of supply-chain continuity for military aircraft programmes, particularly when production rates need to increase after a manufacturing line has been dormant.
Engine availability and delivery schedules
F404-IN20 availability has been a recurring challenge for the Tejas Mk1A programme. While HAL has maintained that its production facilities are ready, aircraft completion and delivery schedules have been affected by delays in receiving engines.
The issue also has contractual implications. HAL officials have previously stated that the agreement with GE includes provisions for liquidated damages if engine deliveries are delayed against the agreed schedule.
The latest three-engine shipment therefore represents more than an incremental delivery. It provides additional powerplants for aircraft moving through HAL’s production pipeline and supports efforts to improve the flow from airframe production to engine integration, testing and delivery.
As HAL works towards higher Tejas Mk1A production rates, a stable and predictable F404 supply chain will remain an important part of the programme. Continued engine deliveries will be essential to converting completed airframes into operational fighters and maintaining momentum across the wider indigenous fighter manufacturing ecosystem.
