The production timeline of the domestic TEJAS MK-1A fighter jets at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has slowed down due to General Electric’s delayed delivery of F-404 jet engines, raising concerns about timely handovers to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
When questioned about the postponed delivery, a GE representative insisted that the business is “tracking to the latest schedule shared with HAL.” Two TEJAS MK-1A aircraft equipped with the available GE engines have been constructed by HAL and are currently conducting weapon trials.
In the next months, the IAF is anticipated to get one of these fighters, which is currently stationed at HAL’s recently inaugurated Nashik plant. Deliveries of F-404 engines are a vital part of the ₹45,000 crore agreement for 83 MK-1A fighters that was inked in 2021 between the Defence Ministry and HAL.
GE’s requirement to restart the F-404 production line, which has been idle since finishing the last order of 65 engines for India in 2016, is the cause of the engine delays.
In 2021, HAL placed a new order for 99 more F-404s, which necessitated reactivating the line. This process has encountered problems, affecting the restricted supply.
A larger procurement process is currently in progress, as India is engaged in commercial negotiations with GE for the more potent F-414 engines, which are intended for the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the TEJAS MK-2. Later this month, a high-level Indian delegation is expected to travel to the United States for talks, with the goal of reaching a formal agreement by 2026.
According to this scenario, HAL will be able to reach the delivery objective of 180 TEJAS MK-2 by 2031–2032 if GE stabilizes its F-404 supply chain by 2026. Negotiations for parallel F-414 are still essential for next AMCA and TEJAS MK-2 programs.
Since the Union Cabinet approved a second order for 97 TEJAS MK-1A fighters, virtually doubling HAL’s manufacturing objective, the demand for F-404 engines is predicted to increase even more. But the extended order won’t begin receiving new engine supply until the 83-aircraft fleet’s deliveries are finished.
HAL officials emphasized that in order to maintain the anticipated delivery rate and reach the goal of turning over 180 aircraft to the IAF by 2031–2022, a consistent and uninterrupted engine supply is still necessary.
The delays demonstrate how heavily India’s fighter jet construction program depends on American engine technology and how urgent it is to complete the F-414 discussions for the country’s next generation of combat aircraft.
