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Ending a long delay, the GE Aerospace on Wednesday announced delivery of the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A fighter jet.
However, the engine, handed over at GE facility, will reach the HAL’s LCA Mk-1A production unit only next month, said sources.
Without disclosing the timeline for handing over next batches of engines, the GE stated in a statement to media that “we are working closely with our suppliers to ramp up production on parts and materials for the F404-IN20”.
At the Aero India 2025 show in Bengaluru, HAL CMD DK Sunil had said that 12 LCA Mk-1As would be ready by the end of this year, which indicated that as many engines are likely to be shipped to India.
The Ministry of Defence inked a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL in February 2021 for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF and the deliveries were scheduled to roll out from March 2024. Not a single aircraft was delivered to the IAF primarly owing to delay in supply of engines.
The F404-IN20 engine is a tailored design for India’s single-engine LCA Mk-1A fighter with the highest thrust within F404 family and a higher-flow fan, unique single-crystal turbine blades, and numerous special components, said Shawn Warren, General Manager, Combat & Trainer Engines, GE Aerospace.
Attempting to respond to criticism over delays in supplying the engines, the GE stated that the production line for F404-IN20 was shut down in the absence of any additional orders post 2016.
“However, when HAL ordered an additional 99 engines in 2021 for the Tejas Mk1A LCA, our team began the complex task of restarting the F404-IN20 production line, which had been dormant for five years, and re-engaging the engine’s global supply chain,” Warren explained.
GE stated that restarting a jet engine production line is a challenging process. Restarting the F404-IN20 engine line during the Covid pandemic was even more challenging. With a high focus on safety and quality, and a remarkable commitment from our supply chain teams and our suppliers and partners, we have managed to restart the line, stated the General Manager, Combat & Trainer Engines, GE Aerospace.
“Our proprietary lean operating model, FLIGHT DECK, helped us alleviate bottlenecks and identify solutions to improve manufacturing processes and turnaround time,: he added.
From 2008 to 2016, the GE delivered 65 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas LCA.
The GE Aerospace and Tejas teams collaborated closely for several years to customise it for the needs of Indian Air Force. On its first test flight in 2008, the aircraft climbed to numerous mission altitudes and achieved Mach 1.1 speed, Warren stated.
The HAL had signed a deal in August 2021 with GE for 99 F404-IN20 engines and support services for the LCA Mk-1A which was valued at $716 million.
It is an important milestone in our 40-year relationship with HAL and in our efforts to ensure a strong future for India’s military by developing next-generation fighters while enhancing the country’s defense manufacturing capabilities, said the US-based company.
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