HAL receives fourth F404-IN20 engine from GE Aerospace

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received the fourth F404-IN20 fighter jet engine from GE Aerospace, fulfilling part of the order placed in 2021. The engines are intended to power India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A.

HAL is in advanced discussions to acquire a total of 113 F404-IN20 engines from the American aerospace firm, in a deal valued at around USD 1 billion. The contract for this order is expected to be signed in October 2025. Dr DK Sunil, HAL Chairman and Managing Director, confirmed to ANI that negotiations are complete, with the price finalized, and only contract formalities remain.

The order for 113 engines includes 68 for single-seat fighters and 29 for twin-seat trainer aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027-28 and continue over a period of six years. HAL has already secured a separate contract for 99 F404-IN20 engines for the initial 83 Tejas jets ordered by the Indian Air Force.

Regarding aircraft delivery, Dr Sunil stated that three Tejas Mk1A aircraft are ready and are undergoing final trials. HAL aims to deliver the first aircraft by October 2025, following which production will continue, with a total of 180 aircraft expected to be completed by 2032-33.

In parallel, HAL is negotiating an 80% technology transfer for GE’s F414 engines, which are intended for the advanced LCA Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This initiative aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, focusing on indigenous defence manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

Earlier in October, HAL had received the third F404 engine for the LCA Mark-1A. The continued deliveries of GE engines mark a key milestone in India’s fighter aircraft programme and are crucial to sustaining production and operational readiness of the Tejas fleet.

The F404-IN20 engine programme highlights ongoing defence collaboration between India and the United States, while supporting HAL’s broader goal of indigenisation and advanced fighter aircraft development.