GE to start Delivery of F404 Engines to India

The article from Hindustan Times published on March 22, 2025, reports that GE Aerospace is set to deliver the first of 99 F-404 engines for India's Tejas MK 1A fighter jets by the end of March 2025, following a two-year delay. This delivery is part of a $716 million contract signed in 2021 between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The initial batch of 12 engines is scheduled for 2025, with GE planning to supply 20 engines annually thereafter to meet the contract's requirements. The delays, attributed to supply chain issues, have raised concerns within the Indian Air Force (IAF), as they have disrupted the production timeline for the Tejas MK 1A fleet. Additionally, HAL's struggle to deliver 83 LCA MK 1A aircraft has prompted criticism from IAF leadership, leading the Indian Ministry of Defence to form a committee under Defence Secretary R.K. Singh to develop a business model for India's fifth-generation fighter program.

Additional Verified Information

1. Context of the Delay: The delay in engine deliveries stems from broader supply chain disruptions affecting GE Aerospace, a challenge also noted in other sources. For instance, reports from The Financial Express (February 11, 2025) and India Today (February 12, 2025) confirm that GE's inability to supply F404 engines on time has significantly impacted HAL's production schedule, with only two Tejas jets delivered this fiscal year against a target of 18.

2. HAL's Production Adjustments: HAL has adapted by using reserve engines from earlier Tejas variants to keep production moving. According to The Financial Express (February 11, 2025), HAL aims to deliver 11 Tejas MK 1A aircraft by the end of 2025, with three already flown at Aero India 2025. The company has also increased its capacity to produce up to 24 aircraft annually.

3. IAF's Concerns: The IAF's frustration was publicly voiced by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh during Aero India 2025, as reported by India Today (February 11, 2025). The delays exacerbate the IAF's challenge of maintaining squadron strength, with the force still awaiting all 40 Tejas MK 1 jets ordered in 2010.

4. Private Sector Involvement: To accelerate production, HAL has outsourced components like the rear fuselage to Indian private firms such as Alpha Tocol Engineering Services, with the first handover occurring in March 2025, as noted by The Times of India (March 10, 2025). This aligns with India's "Make in India" initiative to boost domestic defense manufacturing.

5. Future Plans: Beyond the current contract, HAL is negotiating with GE for technology transfer of F414 engines for the Tejas MK 2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with a potential 80% technology share, per The Financial Express (February 11, 2025). This could reduce future dependency on foreign suppliers.

6. Current Status as of March 22, 2025: Given today’s date, the delivery of the first F-404 engine should be imminent if GE meets the March-end deadline. However, earlier posts on X (e.g., March 16, 2025) suggest skepticism about GE’s timeline, with some claiming delays might push the first delivery to November 2025. These claims remain unverified but reflect ongoing uncertainty.

Conclusion

The delivery of the first F-404 engine marks a critical step in resolving delays that have hampered the Tejas MK 1A program. While GE’s commitment to 12 engines in 2025 offers hope, the IAF and HAL continue to navigate production challenges. Enhanced collaboration with private firms and potential technology transfers signal a strategic shift to bolster India’s Indigenous defense capabilities, though the success of these efforts hinges on GE stabilizing its supply chain.

Source:(https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ge-to-deliver-first-of-99-f-404-engines-for-tejas-mk-1a-by-marchend-101742615337284.html)