GE Aerospace Delivers Critical F404-IN20 Engine for India's Tejas MK-1A Fighter Program

American defense giant GE Aerospace has delivered an additional F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for India's Tejas light combat aircraft program, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

This delivery follows a previous engine handover that occurred approximately three weeks earlier.

Officials stated that the latest engine was transferred to HAL on September 30.

In the coming weeks, HAL is scheduled to deliver two Tejas MK1A jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The defense ministry finalized a substantial Rs 48,000-crore contract with HAL in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft to strengthen the IAF fleet.

GE Aerospace had previously experienced difficulties meeting delivery timelines for the engines required to power these advanced jets.

The IAF urgently seeks to integrate these warplanes into its arsenal as its fighter squadron count has declined to 31, significantly below the officially authorized strength of 42.

The Tejas is designed as a single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft engineered to operate effectively in high-threat aerial environments. Its capabilities encompass air defense operations, maritime reconnaissance missions, and precision strike roles.