GE to Begin Monthly F404 Engine Deliveries from August; Delay Impacts Tejas Mk-1A Induction

After months of delays that disrupted India’s indigenous fighter jet program, US-based GE Aerospace is set to commence regular deliveries of its F404 jet engines for the Tejas Mk-1A aircraft.

According to Defence Secretary RK Singh, the company will deliver two engines per month starting August, with a total of 17 engines expected by March 2026.

Manufactured by General Electric, the F404 engines are critical for powering the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Only one engine has been delivered so far, in April 2025, with another expected by the end of July — a significant delay from the original delivery timeline in 2023.

“Unfortunately, in the case of LCA Mark 1A, we have built the aircraft. As of today, we have six aircraft lined up,” said HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil.

“But the engine deliveries have not happened from GE Aerospace.”

Impact on Squadron Strength of Indian Air Force

The delays have directly impacted the Indian Air Force (IAF), which was expecting HAL to deliver the first batch of Tejas Mk-1A jets under a Rs 48,000 crore deal signed in 2021 for 83 aircraft.

HAL now plans to deliver 12 aircraft by the end of fiscal year 2026, subject to engine availability. If the monthly delivery schedule is maintained, HAL estimates it can produce up to 16 aircraft in the coming year.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, had earlier raised concerns over the slippage in the Mk-1A production timeline, urging for faster resolution of supply issues.

HAL confirmed that the production delays were not on its end. Instead, the problem stemmed from GE’s failure to supply engines on time, owing to post-COVID production setbacks and the exit of several senior engineers, which caused a ripple effect across its supply chain.

“Every company goes through its fair share of criticisms. It does happen,” said HAL CMD. “There is no let-up from our side. We are building those aircraft and getting them ready, and we will be in a position to deliver (by this fiscal).”

In parallel, India has also completed negotiations for the GE F414 engine, which will power the future Tejas Mk-2. The F414 deal is expected to bolster India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and support its drive toward strategic autonomy.

Designed for multi-role operations, the Tejas Mk-1A features upgraded avionics, an AESA radar, electronic warfare suites, and compatibility with a range of precision-guided weapons, making it a critical asset for India’s air power.

With engine deliveries now expected to resume, the IAF hopes to receive at least six Tejas Mk-1A jets by March 2026, bringing long-awaited momentum to the country’s flagship fighter program.

Team BharatShakti