American company GE Aerospace delivered the fifth F404-IN20 jet engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday for the indigenous fighter aircraft project LCA Mark-1A. According to a company spokesperson, this engine was supplied to HAL under an order received in 2021.
New Delhi: India's indigenous fighter aircraft program has achieved a significant technical milestone. American aerospace company GE Aerospace has delivered the fifth unit of the F404-IN20 jet engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This engine will power the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A. This delivery is expected to further strengthen India's air defense capabilities.
A GE Aerospace spokesperson confirmed that this engine is part of an order placed in 2021. Both the company and HAL are continuously coordinating at technical and logistical levels to maintain the production timeline for the Tejas Mk-1A.
F404-IN20 Engine: The Backbone of Tejas Mk-1A
The F404-IN20 engine is a reliable and powerful turbofan engine equipped with state-of-the-art technology, specifically customized for India's Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft. Previously, under the same order, the fourth engine was delivered to HAL in October 2025. HAL has entered into a significant agreement with GE Aerospace for the procurement of a total of 113 F404-IN20 engines.
These engines will be used in the manufacturing of 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets. This program is considered a crucial step towards enhancing the Indian Air Force's strength and making the country self-reliant in the defense sector.
Major Contract with Ministry of Defence
HAL informed via the social media platform X that this crucial agreement was signed on November 7, 2025. As per the contract, all engines will be supplied in a phased manner between 2027 and 2032. Earlier, in September 2025, India's Ministry of Defence signed a historic contract with HAL for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft. This deal is considered one of the largest indigenous aircraft programs in Indian military aviation history.
The Indian government and HAL are continuously increasing production capacity to complete the Tejas program on time. In this regard, in October 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated at HAL's Nashik unit:
- the third production line for Tejas Mk-1A, and
- the second production line for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft.
These new production lines are expected to accelerate the delivery pace of Tejas aircraft in the coming years.
GE Aerospace's Significant Investment in Pune Plant
Strengthening its presence in India, GE Aerospace recently announced a $14 million investment for the expansion of its Pune plant. This investment marks the second major capital increase after a $30 million investment made last year. The objectives of this investment are:
- Increased production capacity
- Utilization of state-of-the-art automation technology
- Local manufacturing of advanced engine components
- Further strengthening the supply chain
It is stated that this expansion will significantly boost aerospace manufacturing in India and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The delivery of the F404 engine is considered a crucial link in India-US defense cooperation. Over the past few years, relations between the two countries have significantly strengthened in defense technology, joint production, and logistical support. The partnership between GE Aerospace and HAL is a prime example of this collaboration.
