On March 26, 2025, the United States of America (USA) based General Electric Company (GE Aerospace), a leading engine manufacturer, announced the delivery of the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A fighter jet program.
- The engine will undergo final checks at GE’s Lynn plant (the USA) and is expected to arrive in India by April 2025. HAL aims to receive 12 engines by the end of 2025.
- The partnership between GE Aerospace and HAL is a significant move in building a strong homegrown defence industry, helping India become an important player in global defence manufacturing.
About F404-IN20 engine:
i.The F404-IN20 engine is a tailored version of the F404 family, providing the highest thrust within the series.
- These engines are customized for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with specific modifications such as single-crystal turbine blades and a high-flow fan.
ii.The engine is designed with advanced features like high-flow fans, special turbine blades, and Full Authority Digital Engine Control(FADEC) to meet the IAF’s power requirements.
iii.This engine provides a maximum thrust of 19,000 pound-force, lbf (85 kilo Newton, kN) with an afterburner, making it the highest thrust variant in the F404 series.
GE Aerospace & HAL Collaboration:
i.In 2023, GE Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HAL to explore joint production of the F414 engines in India.
- With the procurement deal worth Rs 5,375 crore (approx. USD 650 million), India aims to enhance its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign defence imports.
ii.Initially, the delivery was set to begin in March 2023, but disruptions in the global supply chain led to a two-year delay.
iii.The Tejas Mk1A programme is vital for strengthening India’s fighter jet fleet, with the IAF needing 35-40 fighter jets annually to meet operational demands. HAL is set to complete the delivery of the current order for 87 Tejas Mk1A jets by 2028.
General Electric Company (GE Aerospace):
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Henry Lawrence “Larry” Culp, Jr.
Headquarters – Evendale, Ohio, the United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1917
