HAL Secures Deal with General Electric for 113 Jet Engines to Power Indigenous Tejas Mark-1A Fighter Fleet

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has formalized an agreement with US-based General Electric (GE) to acquire 113 jet engines for India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A fleet, marking a crucial milestone for the nation's defense manufacturing capabilities.

HAL announced via social media platform X that the contract encompasses the delivery of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines along with a comprehensive support package. These engines will power the recently ordered 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft. The engine deliveries are scheduled to occur between 2027 and 2032.

The agreement, finalized on November 7, 2025, comes after HAL secured a significant order in September for 97 Tejas Mk1A fighters, including 68 single-seater and 29 twin-seater variants, valued at over Rs 62,370 crore. Deliveries under this substantial contract are expected to commence in fiscal year 2028 and will be completed over a six-year timeframe.

The Tejas Mk1A, jointly developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by HAL, represents a significant advancement in India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, which aims to achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Beyond military aviation, HAL is expanding its presence in the civil aviation sector. The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia's Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) for joint production of the SJ-100 regional aircraft in Moscow.

The SJ-100, a twin-engine narrow-body jet, currently operates with over 200 aircraft flying globally across 16 commercial airlines. HAL stated that this collaboration will significantly contribute to enhancing India's regional air connectivity network under the government's UDAN scheme.

HAL representatives emphasized that "SJ-100 will be a game changer for short-haul connectivity in India," adding that under this arrangement, HAL will acquire manufacturing rights for the aircraft.

Industry projections suggest India's aviation sector will require more than 200 jets in this category over the next decade to bolster regional connectivity. Additionally, approximately 350 more aircraft may be needed for the Indian Ocean region to serve nearby international tourist destinations.