The GE-F404 engines will be fitted on the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
India on Monday (July 15, 2025) received the second GE-F404 engine from the United States for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A fighter jet programme.
A senior Defence official confirmed the development and said that public sector firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has taken delivery of the engine and is expected to receive 12 more GE-F404 engines by the end of the current financial year.
“The engines will be fitted on the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets. Their delivery had been delayed by over a year due to supply chain disruptions faced by the American engine manufacturer,” the official said.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed orders for 83 LCA Mark 1A aircraft. A proposal to procure 97 additional aircraft is at an advanced stage following clearance from the Defence Ministry, the official added.
Earlier this year, HAL received the first GE-F404 engine in March. The engines will be integrated with the LCA Mk-1A fighters, with HAL aiming to deliver over 10 aircraft to the IAF in the near term.
In August 2021, HAL had placed an order worth ₹5,375 crore for 99 F404 engines with GE Aerospace to power the indigenously developed Tejas Mk-1A.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently held a phone conversation with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to review ongoing and forthcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries.
Published – July 15, 2025 10:46 pm IST
