Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 7: India’s indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighter programme has received a boost with US aerospace major GE Aerospace delivering four more F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), taking the total number of engines supplied for the fleet to 14.
The latest consignment was shipped in September 2026 as part of a contract for 99 F404-IN20 engines signed between HAL and GE Aerospace in 2021. The agreement, valued at Rs 5,375 crore, covers the engine requirement for the Tejas Mk1A fleet.
GE Aerospace said it remains focused on delivering the engines required to power India’s indigenous fighter aircraft.
The F404-IN20 is a variant of GE Aerospace’s F404 engine specially adapted for the single-engine Tejas fighter. The Indian variant is described as delivering the highest thrust within the F404 engine family and incorporates a higher-flow fan, single-crystal turbine blades and other specialised components.
The F404 engine has been used in thousands of military aircraft worldwide and has played a key role in the development and testing of the Tejas fighter.
GE Aerospace’s association with India’s military aviation programme dates back to the 1980s, when the company began working with the Aeronautical Development Agency.
The F404-IN20 was selected in 2004 to power the Tejas. The engine also powered the aircraft during its early flight-testing phase. During its first test flight in 2008, the Tejas climbed to several mission altitudes and reached a speed of Mach 1.1.
The latest engine deliveries are expected to support HAL’s ongoing production of Tejas Mk1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force.