Archive · 7 Oct 2026
GE Ships Four More Engines for Delayed Tejas Mk1A Programme
The Tejas Mk1A is a fighter aircraft that India plans to receive.
It needs an engine made by GE Aerospace.
GE sent four more engines in September, following three in August.
The contract is for 99 engines.
Deliveries were delayed, and the first engine arrived in March 2025.
HAL has not yet delivered a Tejas Mk1A to the Indian Air Force.
Radar and weapons integration are also still pending.
GE and the Indian Air Force have agreed to set up an engine depot in India.
The Air Force will own and operate the depot, while GE will provide technical help, training, staff, parts and equipment.
GE Aerospace shipped four F404-IN20 engines for Tejas Mk1A fighters in September, after shipping three in August.
HAL’s 2021 contract with GE covers 99 engines and is valued at ₹5,375 crore.
GE delivered the first engine under the order in March 2025, after earlier delivery delays.
HAL has not delivered a Tejas Mk1A fighter to the Indian Air Force; engine delays and pending radar and weapons integration have pushed back the programme.
GE announced an agreement in April 2026 for the Indian Air Force to establish and run an F404-IN20 engine depot in India.
- Who
- GE Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- What
- GE shipped four F404-IN20 engines in September for the Tejas Mk1A programme.
- When
- September; the article also reports an engine depot agreement announced in April 2026.
- Where
- India; the engine depot is to be established in India.
- Why
- The engines are intended to power the Tejas Mk1A; delayed engine supplies have held up the programme.
Delivery progress
Programme delays
Engine supply
Delivery progress
GE shipped four engines in September after shipping three in August, indicating further deliveries.
Programme delays
Earlier engine delivery delays held up the programme; the first engine from the order arrived only in March 2025.
Tejas Mk1A readiness
Delivery progress
Engine deliveries are continuing, and GE and the IAF have agreed to establish an engine depot in India.
Programme delays
HAL has yet to deliver a single Tejas Mk1A to the IAF, with radar and weapons integration also pending.
- September shipment
- Four F404-IN20 engines
- August shipment
- Three engines
- Engine order
- 99 F404-IN20 engines
- Contract value and year
- ₹5,375 crore; signed in 2021
- First engine delivery
- March 2025
- Tejas Mk1A deliveries to IAF
- HAL has not delivered any aircraft
- Engine depot
- Agreement announced in April 2026; IAF will own, operate and maintain it