Tejas Mk1A boost: GE to deliver 20 F404 engines, says HAL chief

HAL Chairman DK Sunil announced that GE has assured delivery of 20 F404 engines for the Tejas Mk1A in the second half of 2026. A sixth engine is expected by month-end, a key step to overcoming production delays for the fighter jet program.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman DK Sunil on Thursday said American firm General Electric has assured the delivery of 20 F404 engines in the second half of 2026, adding that the firm expects to receive a sixth GE engine for the LCA Tejas Mark 1A project by the end of this month.

GE Commits to Engine Deliveries

Speaking to ANI, Sunil said HAL currently has five engines, and a sixth engine is ready for pickup, indicating movement after earlier delays. "We have five engines, the sixth engine is ready now. It will be picked up shortly. Last time, when I visited GE, the assurance was that they would give us 20 engines in the second half of this calendar year, between June and December. This is the indication from GE and this is a pessimistic number; they have told me they should do better," he said.

He added that the sixth engine is expected to arrive by the end of this month, which will help push aircraft readiness.

Delays in engine supplies have slowed the Tejas Mk1A programme, as HAL depends on GE F404 engines for final assembly. The company has said its production line is ready, but deliveries hinge on engine availability.

Sunil also said HAL expects to have six aircraft fitted with engines by month-end. "By the end of this month, we will have six aircraft with CAT-A engines," he added.

The assurance of 20 engines between June and December is seen as a key boost for the programme, even as Sunil called it a "pessimistic number" and said GE could do better.

Penalties Imposed for Delays

However, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is imposing contractual penalties on the US giant GE for delays in the supply of F404 engines. "The contract includes a provision stating that if there is a delay in the delivery of F-404 engines for the Light Combat Aircraft, liquidated damages will be imposed on GE Aviation. So the cost is being imposed as per the contract," HAL officials said in a statement.

However, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is imposing contractual penalties on the US giant GE for delays in the supply of F404 engines. "The contract includes a provision stating that if there is a delay in the delivery of F-404 engines for the Light Combat Aircraft, liquidated damages will be imposed on GE Aviation. So the cost is being imposed as per the contract," HAL officials said in a statement.

Program Status and IAF Review

As per earlier commitments, HAL had said deliveries would begin by March 2026; before this, the target was 2025, but supply chain constraints caused the initial delay.

HAL has five aircraft ready with engines, but none has been delivered to the Indian Air Force yet.

The Indian Air Force is expected to review the LCA Mk1A programme in May this year before deciding on accepting delivery of these aircraft, of which 180 have been ordered by the force. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)