HAL Negotiates With General Electric on Engine Delivery Delays for Tejas Fighter Jets

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is in talks with General Electric (GE) regarding a delay in the delivery of engines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), according to a company press release. The delay stems from supply chain disruptions linked to industry shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, HAL's Chairman and Managing Director, DK Sunil, stated. GE has committed to accelerating production to meet the requirements for the LCA Mark 1A program.

Despite these delays, HAL maintains that its aircraft production is proceeding on schedule. The company has already received a contract valued at Rs 48,000 crore to produce 83 Tejas LCA Mark 1A aircraft, with a further order for 97 additional jets expected by the end of this fiscal year. This anticipated order is valued at approximately Rs 65,000 crore and represents one of the largest procurements of indigenous military hardware by the Indian government.

Negotiations are ongoing with GE for the supply of GE F414 engines, with HAL expecting to finalize the agreement in the coming months. To meet the increased demand, production facilities in Bangalore and Nasik are scaling up their operations. HAL’s goal is to fulfill orders for 280 aircraft over an eight-year period.

In addition to the Tejas production, HAL is nearing completion of an upgrade program for the Su-30MKI aircraft. The company is also exploring export possibilities for the Tejas and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in regions including Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.