BangaloreGE Aerospace has delivered the seventh F404-IN20 turbofan engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), providing a major boost to India's Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft programme after months of engine supply delays.
The delivery is expected to accelerate final assembly of Tejas Mk-1A fighters, with several completed airframes currently awaiting engine integration before flight testing and induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The F404-IN20 engine, producing approximately 84 kN of thrust, powers both the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants. Delays in engine deliveries had emerged as the biggest bottleneck affecting HAL's production schedule and the IAF's modernisation plans.
HAL has already manufactured around 30 airframes ready for final integration. Under the existing ₹48,000 crore contract, the IAF has ordered 83 Tejas Mk-1A fighters, while an additional order for 97 aircraft has expanded the planned fleet to 180 fighters.
To support this programme, GE Aerospace has committed to increasing production and supplying 24–26 F404 engines annually from 2026. HAL has also expanded its manufacturing capacity with multiple assembly lines in Bengaluru and Nashik to accelerate aircraft production.
If engine deliveries continue as scheduled, HAL is expected to begin delivering the first batch of Tejas Mk-1A fighters by late 2026, significantly strengthening the Indian Air Force's operational capabilities and advancing India's indigenous aerospace ambitions.
Why this matters: The delivery of the seventh F404 engine marks a key step in reviving the Tejas Mk-1A production line, bringing India closer to faster fighter induction while highlighting the importance of reliable engine supplies for the country's defence modernisation programme.
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