The Tejas fighter jet is about to gain new momentumAmerican fighter jet engine manufacturer GE Aerospace has begun supplying engines for the TejasIndia had placed an order for 99 F404 jet engines with the American company in 2021.
Published: October 7, 2026, 2:14 PM IST
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Major boost for IAF! US firm delivers four GE F404 Engines, Tejas fighter jets production set to speed up (Pic: X)
India’s Tejas fighter jet program has gained new momentum after an American aircraft manufacturer has delivered four F404 engines for the Tejas fighter jet, also known as the indigenous Rafale fighter jetDelays in engine supply adversely affected the Tejas fighter jet program, leaving it significantly behind scheduleNow, the likelihood of it picking up speed has increasedThe American company has begun supplying engines for the Tejas fighter jet programFour F404s were delivered in SeptemberIt is reported that plans to supply 20 such jet engines are on track.
According to the information, American company GE Aerospace has signed a contract with IndiaIndigenous Light Combat Aircraft TejasFour F404-IN20 engines have been delivered to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in September 2026 for the program, a company spokesperson told news agency ANIThe company continues to progress towards meeting its target of supplying 20 engines between June and December 2026The GE Aerospace spokesperson further stated that the company is focused on supplying the engines needed to power India’s Tejas fighter aircraftThe company also emphasized its partnership with HAL and the Indian Air ForcePrior to the September shipment, three engines were delivered to HAL in August.
Former HAL Chairman DK Sunil told ANI in April that GE had assured the supply of 20 F404 engines between June and December 2026HAL had ordered 99 F404-IN20 engines from GE in 2021 for the Tejas Mk1A programThe first engine under this order arrived in India on March 25, 2025According to GE, the F404-IN20 engine production line had been shut down for nearly five years when the additional order was receivedThe company had to restart production and reactivate the global supply chainSean Warren, General Manager of GE’s Combat and Trainer Engines business, explained that this process was made more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Engine agreement for twin seater fighter jet also
GE’s involvement with the Tejas program goes back much further than the Mk1A orderThe F404-IN20 engine was selected for the single-engine fighter aircraft in 2004According to the company, by 2016 it had supplied 65 engines to HALMeanwhile, the Tejas Mk1A program has also expandedIn September 2025, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with HAL worth over ₹62,370 crore for 97 additional LCA Mk1A aircraft.
This includes 68 fighters and 29 twin-seatersDelivery is scheduled to be completed over six years, starting in 2027-28These aircraft will have over 64 percent indigenous contentFurthermore, in April 2026, GE Aerospace and the Indian Air Force announced an agreement to establish an F404-IN20 engine depot in IndiaThe Air Force will own, operate and maintain the facility, while GE will provide technical support, training, spare parts and specialized equipment.
