General Electric (GE) Aerospace has announced the delivery of the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for powering the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A fighter jets, marking the beginning of deliveries for the delayed programme. The announcement came on March 26, 2025, following prolonged delays caused by challenges in restarting the production line.

The first engine moved out of the GE facility on March 25, 2025, and is expected to arrive in India in April 2025, official sources confirmed. According to defence sources, 12 engines are expected to be delivered this year, paving the way for the production of the initial batch of LCA-Mk1A jets. HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, D.K. Sunil, had earlier stated at Aero India 2025 that 12 Tejas Mk1A jets would be ready this year, with 24 aircraft expected to be produced annually starting next year.

Challenges in Restarting Production

Shawn Warren, General Manager of Combat & Trainer Engines at GE Aerospace, attributed the delays to the complex process of restarting the F404-IN20 production line, which had been dormant for five years. He highlighted that the task was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and slowed down manufacturing processes. However, GE Aerospace has since resolved its supply chain issues and is now working closely with its global suppliers to ramp up production and meet the required delivery timelines.

Tailored Design for India’s Tejas

The F404-IN20 engine, selected for the LCA Mk1 in 2004, is a tailored version of the F404 family, customized to meet the specific needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The engine boasts the highest thrust within the F404 family, a higher-flow fan, and unique single-crystal turbine blades, along with several other specialized components. It demonstrated its reliability and compatibility with the Tejas platform during its first test flight in 2008, achieving Mach 1.1 and successfully reaching multiple mission altitudes.

By 2016, GE Aerospace had delivered 65 F404-IN20 engines for the 40 Tejas Mk1 jets ordered earlier. However, with no further orders at the time, the production line was shut down. When HAL placed an order for 99 additional engines in 2021 to power the Mk1A variant, GE Aerospace undertook the complex task of reactivating the dormant production line and re-engaging its global supply chain.

Impact on LCA-Mk1A Deliveries

The delivery of 83 LCA-Mk1A jets to the Indian Air Force has faced delays, with the late arrival of engines cited as one of the primary reasons. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh had earlier highlighted that the IAF needed to add 35-40 fighter jets annually to address its dwindling squadron strength, which currently stands at 31 squadrons—well below the sanctioned strength of 42.5 squadrons.

While deliveries of the Mk1A are now expected to commence soon, concerns remain about the phasing out of several aging fighter jets, including the Jaguar, MiG-29UPG, and Mirage-2000, by the end of the decade. The larger and more capable LCA-Mk2 remains under development, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s fifth-generation fighter, is at least a decade away from operational induction.

Future Production and Expansion

HAL has committed to producing 24 Tejas Mk1A jets annually starting next year. Mr. Sunil emphasized that three aircraft have already been manufactured, and by the end of 2025, 11 more jets will be ready—one from HAL’s Nashik facility and 11 from Bengaluru. He further stated that the 87 LCA-Mk1A jets from the current order will be completed in three and a half years, while the additional order for 97 jets is expected to be fulfilled by FY 2031-32.

Capability Enhancement for IAF

Amidst the delays and evolving fighter jet landscape, a high-level empowered committee, headed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, has been tasked with recommending ways to enhance the IAF’s capabilities. The committee has identified key thrust areas and presented its recommendations to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aimed at addressing short, medium, and long-term challenges.

The commencement of engine deliveries marks a significant step forward in addressing the delays and bringing the LCA-Mk1A program back on track, ultimately strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and enhancing the IAF’s operational capabilities.