GE to Deliver first of 99 F-404 engines for Tejas MK 1A by March
GE will deliver the first of 99 F-404 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by the end of this month. This delivery, delayed by two years, marks progress on the security front despite ongoing India-US trade tensions. The F-404 engines power the Tejas Mark 1A fighters, whose delayed delivery has caused concern within the Indian Air Force (IAF).
According to officials, the first engine is already on the test-bed and will arrive soon. GE plans to deliver 12 engines in 2025, followed by 20 engines annually to fulfill the 2021 contract. This $716 million deal covers the supply of 99 engines to support India’s indigenous fighter program.
Meanwhile, HAL is collaborating with GE to manufacture the advanced GE-414 engine in India. This partnership falls under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) between India and the US. The GE-414 engine will power the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Indian Air Force has voiced frustration over the delayed supply of 83 LCA MK 1A aircraft. In response, the Defence Ministry, led by Defence Secretary R.K. Singh, has formed a committee to explore a business model for the AMCA project. This committee will not focus on technical aspects but will work on involving the private sector in the fifth-generation fighter program. The goal is to reduce dependence on HAL and open the defense sector to private players for future fighter jet production.
While the US has offered India the fifth-generation F-35 fighter, India is also considering a French alternative. This option involves manufacturing Rafale fighters and the M-88 engine in India under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
India’s strategy reflects a dual approach—advancing local defense capabilities while keeping international options open. With the delivery of the F-404 engines on track, the focus now shifts to accelerating indigenous fighter programs and reducing production delays.
