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India’s indigenous fighter programme received a significant operational lift with GE Aerospace signing a contract with the Indian Air Force to establish an in-country repair and overhaul facility for the F404-IN20 engines that power the HAL Tejas fleet.
The new depot, to be set up by the IAF with technical backing from GE, will be owned and run by the service. GE Aerospace will provide training, support personnel, spares and specialised equipment, according to an official statement.
The move is expected to improve the serviceability of the Tejas Mk1 fleet by cutting turnaround time for engine maintenance. At present, overhaul cycles are dependent on overseas support, which can slow availability, particularly during periods of heightened global demand or conflict.
Air Force officials view the domestic facility as a critical step in ensuring sustained operational readiness. By bringing repair and overhaul capabilities within the country, the IAF aims to minimise logistical delays and maintain higher fleet availability rates.
“Our commitment to supporting India’s armed forces continues to guide our collaboration in expanding local sustainment capabilities of the Tejas fleet,” said Rita Flaherty, Vice President for Sales and Business Development (Defence & Systems) at GE Aerospace. She added that the depot will help ensure the ready availability of the F404-IN20 engines for operational requirements.
Beyond immediate gains in readiness, the project is seen as part of India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence. The facility is expected to contribute to skill development, deepen the domestic aerospace supply chain, and enable greater transfer of technical know-how.
The agreement also builds on a long-standing relationship between GE Aerospace and the IAF, spanning over four decades, according to GE’s statement. The company already supports multiple Indian military platforms, including engines for the Navy’s P-8I maritime aircraft, MH-60R helicopters, and the Air Force’s Apache attack helicopters, along with marine gas turbines for frontline warships.
However, the LCA Mk-1A jet project is facing significant delays due to slow engine deliveries, which have been postponed by over a year, resulting in contractual penalties. This shortfall has been caused by supply chain bottlenecks and the need for part recertification, which were exacerbated by previous COVID-related shutdowns. As a result, the scheduled delivery of 83 jets in 2023 and 2024 has been disrupted. Recently, the sixth engine arrived in India, and GE has committed to increasing engine deliveries, promising to supply 20 F404 engines by December 2026.
Team BharatShakti
