GE Aerospace delivers sixth F404-IN20 engine for Tejas LCA-Mk1A Business News & Hub

U.S. engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) Aerospace on Thursday (April 2, 2026) announced delivery of the sixth F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A aircraft.

GE Aerospace has to deliver 99 such engines to HAL.

“GE Aerospace has handed over the sixth F404-IN20 engine against the order from 2021,” said a company spokesperson.

A HAL spokesperson told The Hindu, “The sixth F404-IN20 engine was handed over in the U.S. The delivery happens in the U.S., and it will be brought here through freight.”

The spokesperson did not specify when the engine will arrive in India considering the ongoing West Asia crisis.

Twelve engines were expected to be delivered to HAL by the end of the last financial year. However, only six engines have been made available over so far. The first engine was delivered by the manufacturer on March 26, 2025, and the fifth engine on December 5 last year.

There has been a delay in the delivery schedule of engines for the LCA Mk-1A variant, which was criticised by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh during the last edition of the Aero India in Bengaluru.

HAL chairman and managing director D.K. Sunil had earlier said the delay was due to GE Aerospace missing the deadline for supply of engines.

“The primary reason is the engine. When he (IAF chief) mentioned in February (about not being confident of HAL during Aero India), we did not have a single engine from GE though the airframe was ready,” Mr. Sunil had told The Hindu in July 2025.

Terms of contract

In February 2021, the Defence Ministry had signed a ₹48,000-crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the Indian Air Force.

As per the contract, HAL will manufacture 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft. The delivery of all 83 aircraft was to be completed in eight years from the date of signing the contract.

“HAL will be delivering the first three aircraft in the third year, and 16 aircraft per year for subsequent five years,” the Ministry had said in 2021.