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4w ago

GE Aerospace Delivers First F404-IN20 Engine to HAL, Reviving Tejas Mk-1A Production

The delivery resolves a key bottleneck in India's fighter jet program, enabling HAL to ramp up production and meet IAF's urgent operational needs.

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The LCA Mk-1A programme, crucial for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to shore up its fleet, is running behind schedule due to several reasons, including the delay in supply of engines. (PTI)

Overview

  • GE Aerospace has delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), restarting production after a five-year hiatus.
  • The F404-IN20 engine, tailored for the Tejas Mk-1A, offers the highest thrust in its class and is critical for advancing India's indigenous fighter program.
  • HAL plans to roll out the first Tejas Mk-1A aircraft by April 2025 and ramp up production to 24 jets annually with the addition of a new facility in Nashik.
  • The Indian Air Force has ordered 83 Mk-1A jets, with discussions underway for an additional 97 units to replace aging MiG-21s and bolster its depleting fleet.
  • Future plans include the development of the LCA Mk-2 and fifth-generation AMCA aircraft, expected to be operational in the next decade.