GE Aerospace has reportedly delivered the seventh F404-IN20 turbofan engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), providing a fresh boost to the TEJAS MK-1A programme after prolonged engine supply delays affected production.
The latest engine delivery is expected to help revive the Light Combat Aircraft assembly line, which has faced setbacks due to supply chain disruptions. With another propulsion unit now available, HAL can move forward with the final stages of aircraft assembly and work toward reducing delays in delivering the fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Generating around 84 kilonewtons of thrust, the F404-IN20 powers both the TEJAS MK-1 and the upgraded MK-1A variants. Over the past two years, delayed engine deliveries have emerged as the biggest obstacle to HAL meeting the IAF's production schedule.
The arrival of the seventh engine enables HAL to begin integrating propulsion systems into airframes that have already been completed and are awaiting final assembly and flight testing.
To minimise production delays, HAL has already manufactured around 30 fully equipped airframes, which remain on the assembly line pending engine installation. The TEJAS MK-1A programme is regarded as a key pillar of the IAF's modernisation plans and India's broader effort to strengthen self-reliance in the aerospace sector.
The initial ₹48,000 crore contract included the procurement of 83 TEJAS MK-1A fighter aircraft along with 99 GE F404 engines. The government has since approved the purchase of an additional 97 aircraft, taking the planned fleet strength to 180 fighters and creating a requirement for another 113 engines from GE.
Following earlier logistical constraints, GE Aerospace has said it is increasing manufacturing capacity for the F404-IN20 engine. The company has committed to raising deliveries to between 24 and 26 engines annually beginning in 2026, a move expected to allow HAL to significantly expand aircraft production.
Engine installation remains the most critical phase of the manufacturing process. Although airframes, radar systems, avionics and electronic warfare suites are already in place, aircraft cannot proceed to final integration or flight trials until the engines are fitted. As a result, the pace of engine deliveries continues to determine how quickly completed fighters can be handed over to the IAF.
In anticipation of higher engine supplies, HAL has expanded its production infrastructure by establishing multiple assembly lines in Bengaluru and Nashik. The additional capacity is expected to support a higher rate of aircraft roll-outs while enabling the flight trials required before induction into service.
Defence industry experts believe that if GE adheres to its revised delivery schedule, HAL could begin delivering the first batch of TEJAS MK-1A fighters by late 2026, providing a significant boost to the Indian Air Force's operational capabilities.
While the delivery of the seventh engine marks a positive development for the programme, its long-term success will depend on GE Aerospace maintaining a reliable and uninterrupted engine supply. If the planned production ramp-up is achieved, HAL is expected to meet its delivery commitments and advance India's push for greater aerospace self-reliance.
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