Daijiworld Media Network- USA

USA, Sep 11: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received the third GE-404 engine from the United States for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A fighter jet programme, defence sources confirmed on Wednesday. The fourth engine is expected to arrive in India by the end of this month.

In 2021, India had inked a $716 million deal with US aerospace major General Electric to procure 99 F404-IN20 engines for the indigenous Tejas programme. However, delivery schedules were hit due to global supply chain disruptions, including delays caused by a South Korean component supplier, which pushed the timeline to March 2025.

Despite the setback, HAL has assured that it remains on track to meet its delivery targets for the current year. Engine supplies are also expected to stabilize in the coming months, officials said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to induct a total of 352 Tejas fighter jets, combining both Mk-1A and Mk-2 variants, as part of its modernization drive. The induction is expected to give a major boost to India’s indigenous defence capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign fighter platforms.