New Delhi, 13 July (H.S.): The Indian Air Force has been awaiting the induction of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A for an extended period, with delivery timelines having been revised several times. In a significant development, US-based GE Aerospace has delivered the seventh F404 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The engine will be transported to India by cargo ship. With the major issues affecting engine supplies now largely resolved, aircraft production is expected to accelerate.

The Ministry of Defence has placed orders with HAL for a total of 180 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The first contract, worth Rs 48,000 crore, was signed in February 2021 and included 73 Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets and 10 trainer aircraft.

Subsequently, on September 25, 2025, the Ministry signed a second contract worth Rs 62,370 crore for the procurement of 97 additional LCA Mk-1A fighter aircraft, comprising 68 single-seat and 29 twin-seat variants. Deliveries under this order are scheduled to commence in 2027–28 and are expected to be completed over six years.

The Indian Air Force had initially expected to receive the first batch of engines in 2024. However, deliveries were delayed after GE Aerospace discontinued production of the F404 engine, affecting HAL's production schedule. Under the February 2021 contract, HAL was expected to begin delivering Tejas Mk-1A aircraft from March this year, but delays in engine supplies from the United States prolonged the timeline.

After a prolonged wait, GE Aerospace delivered the first engine to India on March 26, 2025. The second engine followed on July 13. HAL received the third GE F404 engine on September 11, after which the company fulfilled its commitment to deliver another engine by the end of September, supplying it on September 30. The fifth engine was delivered on December 5 last year. Despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, GE Aerospace supplied the sixth engine to HAL on April 2 this year. The handover of engines takes place in the United States, and the seventh engine will now be shipped to India by cargo vessel.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. D.K. Sunil said the company aims to complete the production of all 180 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft by the financial year 2032–33. He noted that GE had initially committed to supplying 12 engines annually, adding that HAL now expects to receive all 12 engines by the end of the current financial year.

Dr. Sunil said HAL is likely to receive 10 engines during the current year, while the remaining engines are expected by March next year. He added that the airframe of the tenth aircraft has already been completed and the eleventh aircraft is ready. With the fundamental issues surrounding engine supplies now resolved, production is expected to gather pace. He further said that GE Aerospace has committed to supplying 20 engines next year following discussions with its senior management.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar