By A Correspondent
Bengaluru (Karnataka): In a major boost to India’s indigenous fighter jet programme, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a landmark agreement with the US-based General Electric Company (GE) for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and an associated support package.
The deal, finalised on Nov. 7, 2025, will power the upcoming fleet of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A jets ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to an HAL post on social media platform X.
The agreement follows the IAF’s INR 67,000-crore contract with HAL, signed in September 2025, for the production of 97 additional Tejas Mk1A aircraft, the largest indigenous fighter aircraft order in India’s defence history.
Engine deliveries under the new HAL-GE contract are scheduled between 2027 and 2032, aligning with HAL’s phased delivery plan for the Tejas Mk1A programme, according to HAL.
The F404-GE-IN20 engine, which also powers the current fleet of Tejas Mk1 fighters, is a proven, high-performance turbofan engine known for its reliability and operational versatility.
The new batch of engines will ensure streamlined logistics and maintenance, reinforcing the IAF’s trust in the Tejas platform as a mainstay of its future combat fleet.
HAL’s partnership with GE marks another milestone in the expanding Indo-US defence cooperation, particularly in aerospace technology.
Earlier, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2023, India and the US had announced plans to co-produce advanced GE F414 engines in India for the Tejas Mk2 variant, deepening industrial collaboration and paving the way for greater technological self-reliance under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
The Tejas Mk1A, developed by HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), represents a significant upgrade over the Mk1 version, featuring advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, reduced maintenance needs, and mid-air refuelling capability.
The aircraft is expected to form a critical component of the IAF’s modernisation drive as it phases out ageing MiG-21 fighters.
With this engine contract in place, HAL is set to accelerate the Tejas Mk1A production line across its Bengaluru and Nashik facilities, ensuring timely deliveries and a strengthened supply chain.
The move further consolidates India’s growing aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and underscores HAL’s central role in transforming the country into a global hub for indigenous defence production.
NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on Arattai.
NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on Telegram.
NOTE: Follow Defence.Capital on WhatsApp.
