India Receives Second GE-404 Engine From US For Tejas Mk1A Jets

India has received the second GE-404 engine from the United States for its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A program, marking a key step forward in the nation’s ambitious push to modernize its air force. The engine, part of a $716 million deal signed in 2021 with General Electric, is the second in a series of 99 F404-IN20 engines slated for delivery under the contract.

The engines are being integrated into the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, which are manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a public sector enterprise. According to defence officials, HAL is expected to receive a total of 12 engines by the end of the current financial year, as deliveries from the U.S. gain momentum.

The production schedule for the Tejas Mk1A had initially faced turbulence due to global supply chain disruptions, including delays in component shipments from South Korea. These setbacks had pushed the expected delivery timeline into 2025. However, the recent arrival of the second engine signals that the program is back on track.