HAL has received the fourth GE-F404-IN20 engine from US-based GE Aerospace under the 2021 procurement agreement. These engines are critical for powering the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS MK-1A, which is slated for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the near term.
The latest delivery comes soon after the third engine was handed over in September, marking steady progress toward meeting HAL’s annual targets.
The contract signed in 2021 was valued at $716 million and covers the supply of 99 F404-IN20 engines. While initial deliveries were delayed due to global supply chain disruptions—particularly a failure from a South Korean component supplier—the flow of engines has now resumed. The revised delivery schedule extends to March 2025, after which supplies are expected to normalise.
By the end of the current financial year, HAL anticipates receiving 12 engines, ensuring continued production momentum for the TEJAS MK-1A fleet. These engines will be essential not only for flight testing but also for supporting the initial batch of aircraft planned for handover to the IAF.
