GE Aerospace delivers sixth F404-IN20 engine for Tejas LCA-Mk1A

Engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) Aerospace on April 2 announced delivery of the sixth of F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A. GE Aerospace is to deliver 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL.

“GE Aerospace has handed over the sixth F404-IN20 engine against the order from 2021,” said a GE Aerospace spokesperson.

A HAL spokesperson told The Hindu, “The sixth F404-IN20 engine was handed over in the US. The handing over happens in the US, and it will be brought here through freight.”

The spokesperson did not specify when the engine would arrive in India considering the ongoing crises in West Asia.

Twelve engines were expected to be delivered to HAL by the end of the last financial year. However, only six engines have been delivered so far.

The first engine was delivered by the US engine manufacturer on March 26, 2025, and the fifth engine was delivered on December 5.

There has been a delay in the delivery of engines for the LCA Mk-1A variant, which was criticised by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh during the last edition of the Aero India in Bengaluru.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil had earlier said that the delay was due to GE Aerospace missing the deadline for supply of engines.

“The primary reason is the engine. When he (IAF chief) mentioned in February (about not being confident of HAL during Aero India), we did not have a single engine from GE though the airframe was ready,” Dr. Sunil had told The Hindu in July 2025.

Terms of contract

In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence had signed a ₹48,000-crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF.

As per the contract, HAL will manufacture 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft. The delivery of all 83 aircraft were to be completed in eight years from the date of signing the contract.

“HAL will be delivering the first three aircraft in the third year, and 16 aircraft per year for subsequent five years,” the Ministry of Defence had stated in 2021.