India received the second GE-404-IN20 engine from the United States on July 15, 2025 it’s a crucial component for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, India’s indigenous fighter aircraft program. This delivery marks a major step towards accelerating the production of Tejas Mk1A, which had earlier slowed due to supply delays. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) a defence company responsible for building the Tejas under “Make in India” initiative, is expecting to receive 12 same categories of engines by the end of the current financial year. Enabling HAL to roll out the aircraft for Air force this year. Tejas Mk1A variant is a more advanced 4.5 generation Multirole combat aircraft and intended to fill the shortage of squadron to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF).
Indigenous Fighter Aircraft and High Thrust Engine
The GE-404-IN20 engine is a highly advanced version of F404 series which known for its high thrust of 19,000 pounds its improved durability and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system make its suitable for high altitude. These engines are being supplied under a $716 million deal signed in 2021, where the delivery of 99 engines will be made to power up 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, already on order by IAF. HAL officials statement says that the first engine was delivered in May 2025 and the second is received recently, thus putting GE Aerospace to meet its commitment of two engines per month until March 2026.
The Tejas Mk1A holds strategic value for the Indian Air Force which is acquired to fulfil the declining squadron strength amid rising regional threats from China and Pakistan. With 83 Mk1A aircraft already on order, Indian Air Force is now planning to acquire 97 more to bridge the gap by investing Rs 67,000 crore, until the deployment of the next-generation Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) takes place. The Mk1A is equipped with upgraded avionics, AESA radar, electronic warfare systems and can carry large range of missile like BrahMos, ASRAAM and others compared to the original Mk1.
According to Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh “the Ministry of Defence has taken proactive steps to ensure that the production of Tejas Mk1A in bounded time. As HAL has already begun integrating the received engines into the fuselage and is expecting to conduct the integration and testing process to supply one aircraft per month”.
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), is closely monitoring the progress of the Tejas Mk1A programme. As there were initial delays from GE, the PMO intervened to facilitate inter-ministerial coordination and fast-track supply chain mechanisms. Because of these efforts HAL has managed to use interim engines for existing Mk1 units, to complete flight trials and avoid delay in the production.
The visionary thought of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to push for defence indigenization under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, has made Tejas to become a key player in multirole combat in Air and Sea. While the engine is imported from United state, the frame of fighter jet and many critical subsystems are domestically designed and manufactured.
Industry experts highlighted the broader implications of this development. GE’s resumed engine deliveries signal to achieve the goal halted due to yearlong production pause. The importance of U.S.- India defence relationship is solely based on industrial cooperation. The arrival of the GE-404 engine is also seen as a precursor for the co-production of GE’s more powerful F414 engines in India. This engine will be used to power the upcoming Tejas Mk2 aircraft. This partnership was formalized in a major agreement signed by Prime Minister Modi Ji visit to Washington in June 2023, making it a cornerstone of future India-U.S. defence collaboration.
If GE maintains its delivery commitment, India will have enough engines to support the full production of 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft by year 2029. The successful integration and deployment of these jets will significantly boost the IAF’s operational capabilities. Tejas is validating India’s growing ability to produce multirole fighter aircraft indigenously.
Thus, the arrival of the second GE-404 engine marks a turning point for the Tejas programme, resuming stalled production lines and reigniting the air dominant future for India’s ambitious defence modernization plans. The coordination of government will power vision and collaboration with international player will place India as biggest defence supplier of aircrafts. HAL and GE working on same table under the watchful eyes of India’s top leadership, which will ensure that the dream of a truly indigenous fighter fleet is steadily becoming a reality.
