The first engine for India’s new indigenous fighter jet, the light combat aircraft Mk1a, has been delivered.
GE Delivers First Engine for Indigenous LCA Mk1A Tejas
New Delhi: The first engine for India’s new indigenous fighter jet, the light combat aircraft Mk1a, has been delivered, marking the start of supplies that had been delayed due to supply chain constraints. GE Aerospace has handed over the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines on order to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and a total of 12 engines are expected to be sent this year.
The F404-IN20 engine is designed specifically for the TEJAS MK-1A, which is an upgrade of the indigenous LCA. This engine’s delivery comes after a two-year delay, which had previously impacted the production timeline for 83 TEJAS MK-1A jets. Among its variants, the F404-IN20 stands out as the highest thrust model, specifically engineered for India’s HAL TEJAS.
This advanced turbofan engine produces a maximum thrust of 19,000 lbf (85 kN) and incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as high-flow fans and single-crystal turbine blades, which enhance performance and reliability. The F404 series was initially designed for the F/A-18 Hornet, focusing on reliability and cost-effectiveness while providing significant thrust capabilities.
The engine features a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, which optimizes performance and monitoring during flight operations. A contract signed in 2021 between General Electric and HAL includes the delivery of 99 engines by 2029, although initial deliveries have faced delays due to global supply chain issues. The first engines are expected to arrive by March 2025, with subsequent deliveries planned at a rate of 20 engines per year.
HAL has restructured its production processes to expedite the assembly of the TEJAS jets, aiming to deliver at least 16 aircraft annually and fulfil the IAF’s contract by 2028. TEJAS MK-1, is designed to significantly enhance the capabilities of the IAF as it seeks to phase out older aircraft like the MiG-21 and Jaguar.
The aircraft is equipped with over 40 enhancements compared to its predecessor, including the EL/M-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and an indigenous Uttam AESA radar, which improve target detection and tracking capabilities. As of now, HAL is working on ramping up production capabilities with plans to deliver between 16 to 24 aircraft annually by 2026.
The first deliveries are expected to begin in mid-2025, marking a crucial step in bolstering India’s defence capabilities amid rising regional security concerns. The F404-IN20 engine was selected for the TEJAS program in 2004, marking a pivotal moment for both India and GE Aerospace.
