99 Tejas light combat aircraft to be powered by American GE engines

By Asianet Newsable English | First Published Aug 17, 2021, 11:46 PM IST

This is the largest-ever purchase order placed by the state-owned aircraft manufacturer for the light combat aircraft.

State-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautical Limited has placed an order worth Rs 5375 crore for 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services with US-based GE Aviation, to power the Tejas light combat aircraft.

According to HAL CMD R Madhavan, this is the largest-ever purchase order placed by the state-owned aircraft manufacturer for the light combat aircraft.

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HAL is working closely with General Electric for its support to pursue the export potential of the LCA and also to provide spares to the global supply chain of GE 404 engines.

Chris Cyr, Vice President, Business Development & Sales, GE Aviation who interacted virtually and said his company is proud of its 16-year-long partnership with HAL and is happy to extend the relationship with this new order.

The F404 series engines have proven itself in operations all over the world, he said, adding that GE will deliver all the 99 engines and support services to HAL by 2029.

The F404-GE-IN20, which is the highest thrust variant of the F404 series, incorporates GE's latest hot-section materials and technologies as well as FADEC for reliable power and outstanding operational characteristics.

Ordering of the engines marks a major milestone in the execution of 83 LCA contracts with IAF.

The co-operation between GE and HAL will be taken forward with the manufacturing of GE F414 engines in India for the upcoming LCA MkII program.

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