HAL signs agreement with GE to supply 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines for Tejas Mk1A light fighters
HAL’s new deal with GE for 113 F404 engines ensures long-term industrial continuity for the Tejas Mk1A program.
- HAL signed a ~USD 1 billion contract with GE for 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support for the Tejas Mk1A program.
- The order covers propulsion for 97 additional Tejas Mk1A fighters ordered by the Indian Air Force in September 2025, bringing total contracted F404 engines to 212.
- Engine deliveries are scheduled 2027–2032, ensuring production continuity for up to 180 Mk1A aircraft and logistical reserves for training and maintenance.
- Standardizing on the F404-GE-IN20 across Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A simplifies logistics, reduces costs, and increases fleet availability; the contract includes technical support and spares.
- Combined 2021 and 2025 contracts commit the IAF to 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft with 64% indigenous content and localization of over 100 components.
- Tejas Mk1A features UTTAM AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach EW suite, upgraded avionics and in-flight refuelling; it will replace MiG-21 Bison and bridge to Tejas Mk2 and AMCA.
- The deal strengthens India–US aerospace industrial ties and complements planned co-production of GE F414 engines in India for the Tejas Mk2, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a new contract with General Electric (GE) of the United States for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and a comprehensive support package for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A program.
Valued at approximately USD 1 billion, the agreement was officially announced by HAL through its social media channels. It covers the propulsion requirements of the 97 additional Tejas Mk1A fighters ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September 2025 — the largest indigenous fighter production order in the nation’s history.
Strengthening Tejas Mk1A’s production continuity
This marks the second major F404 engine procurement by HAL, following the 2021 contract for 99 engines powering the first batch of 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft. With this new order, the Tejas program now has 212 engines contracted, sufficient to sustain production of 180 Mk1A aircraft while maintaining logistical reserves for training and maintenance.
- ¿Qué cubre el contrato entre HAL y GE?
El contrato cubre el suministro de 113 motores F404-GE-IN20 y un paquete de soporte técnico y repuestos para la flota Tejas Mk1A, valorado en aproximadamente USD 1 000 millones.
- ¿Cuántos Tejas Mk1A tendrá la India según los contratos mencionados?
Combinando los contratos de 2021 y 2025, la Fuerza Aérea India se ha comprometido a 180 Tejas Mk1A.
- ¿Cuál es el calendario de entregas de los motores?
Según HAL, las entregas de motores tendrán lugar entre 2027 y 2032.
- ¿Por qué se mantiene el mismo motor (F404) entre Mk1 y Mk1A?
Mantener el mismo motor permite estandarizar la logística y el mantenimiento, reducir costos y maximizar la disponibilidad de la flota.
According to HAL, engine deliveries will take place between 2027 and 2032, matching the phased production schedule of the new Tejas units. The deal ensures the continuity of HAL’s assembly lines in Bangalore and Nashik, providing a stable workload and long-term predictability for the national supplier network.
Unified logistics and maintenance chain
The F404-GE-IN20, which powers both the Tejas Mk1 currently in service and the Mk1A in production, has proven highly reliable and enables a common logistics and maintenance framework across variants. Maintaining the same powerplant reflects a standardization strategy aimed at reducing costs, simplifying logistics, and maximizing fleet availability.
The contract also includes a technical support and spares package that will help HAL and the IAF streamline maintenance cycles and ensure long-term program sustainability.
A long-term industrial and strategic program
The new agreement consolidates the industrial horizon of the Tejas Mk1A through the early 2030s, guaranteeing HAL a sustained workload while reinforcing India’s domestic aerospace ecosystem. Combined, the 2021 and 2025 contracts bring the IAF’s total commitment to 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, with 64% indigenous content and more than 100 components localized compared to the initial production lots.
The Tejas Mk1A represents the most advanced version of the LCA, featuring the UTTAM AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite, upgraded avionics, and air-to-air refuelling capability. It will replace the remaining MiG-21 Bison fleet and serve as a bridge toward the Tejas Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programs.
Complementarity with the upcoming F414-powered Mk2
The new engine contract fits within the broader India–US strategic aerospace partnership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 visit to Washington, both nations announced the co-production of GE F414 engines in India for the Tejas Mk2, marking a significant milestone in bilateral industrial cooperation.
In this context, the new F404 contract reinforces the industrial bridge between the Tejas Mk1A and future indigenous fighter platforms, supporting India’s long-term self-reliance objectives under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
