HAL Secures Third GE 404 Engine for Tejas Mk1A

Rapid Summary:

• Hindustan aeronautics Limited (HAL) received the third GE 404 engine from General Electric Aerospace for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A; the fourth engine is expected by the end of September.
• The procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft and 10 trainer aircraft was sanctioned in January 2021 at a cost of ₹45,696 crore, with infrastructure progress costing an additional ₹1,202 crore.
• Delivery timeline requires HAL too complete all 83 aircraft within eight years. The first three aircraft are due in the third year,followed by delivery of 16 per year for five years.
• Ther have been delays in delivery due to supply chain issues related to GE engines; HAL outlined these as significant reasons behind setbacks.
• Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh earlier publicly criticized HAL’s delays during Aero India 2025, expressing dissatisfaction with its performance.
• HAL placed an order for a total of 99 GE 404 engines from General Electric and aims to deliver up to twelve LCA Tejas Mk1As by the end of this financial year if commitments are met.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The delayed deliveries underline challenges in defense manufacturing partnerships reliant on foreign components.Supply chain dependencies on global firms such as General Electric appear to have directly impacted domestic production schedules for critical military assets like LCA Tejas Mk1A aircraft. While external factors-like delayed engine supplies-have constrained HAL’s performance,these setbacks risk diminishing confidence within key stakeholders like the Indian Air Force (IAF).

From a broader viewpoint, ensuring operational readiness demands robust coordination between government entities (e.g., Cabinet Committee on Security), public sector manufacturers like HAL, and overseas suppliers such as GE Aerospace. This episode accentuates India’s need to increase self-reliance in defense technology production while navigating international collaborations efficiently.

effective troubleshooting mechanisms across supply chains and improved project management remain vital not only for meeting deadlines but also aligning India’s ambitions toward indigenizing defense manufacturing capabilities.

(Published – September 11, 2025)