American engine manufacturer GE Aerospace on Friday delivered the fifth jet engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A. India is expected to receive 12 GE-404 engines by the end of this financial year.
HAL was supposed to start supplying new aircraft from March, but the wait extended due to delays in engine supply from the United States. With the resolution of basic engine-related issues, hopes are now rising for accelerated aircraft production.
In February 2021, India signed a Rs 48,000 crore agreement with HAL for 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft. This contract included 73 fighter jets and 10 trainer aircraft. The Indian Air Force was expected to receive the first batch in 2024, but GE Aerospace discontinued F-404 engine production in the meantime.
The Defence Ministry signed a new contract with HAL on September 25 this year for an additional 97 LCA Mark-1A fighter aircraft, comprising 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers. Delivery will begin in 2027-28 and complete over six years. HAL now has to manufacture 180 aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
After a long wait, the company finally delivered the first engine to India on March 26 this year. GE sent the second engine on July 13, followed by the third on September 11. The fourth engine was supplied on September 30 as promised.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. DK Sunil said the company is also negotiating 80 percent technology transfer for GE’s F-414 engines, which will power the advanced LCA Mark-2 and indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Dr. Sunil stated that GE had promised 12 engines in a year, but they might receive 12 engines by the financial year-end. “We may get 10 engines this year, with the remaining by March next year. We have completed the framework for the 10th aircraft and the 11th is ready. Basic engine issues are resolved, so production will now accelerate,” he said.
GE has promised 20 engines next year, for which a meeting with top management has been held, according to Dr. Sunil.
(Udaipur Kiran) / Sunit Nigam
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.