GE Delivers Seventh F404 Engine for India’s Tejas Mk-1A Programme

India: General Electric (GE) has supplied the seventh F404 engine for the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A programme, marking a steady step forward in addressing previous production delays.

In addition to the fresh delivery, the sixth F404 engine, which had encountered technical issues, has been successfully repaired and cleared for operational use following necessary rectification work.

While the delivery may appear routine on the surface, it carries significant defence implications. Persistent engine-related delays in recent years had slowed down Tejas Mk-1A production and its induction into the Indian Air Force, putting pressure on the IAF’s ability to maintain squadron strength.

The successful rectification and re-clearance of the sixth engine signals that technical bottlenecks in the programme are gradually being resolved. Officials expect the improved engine supply situation to accelerate aircraft manufacturing and ease long-term concerns regarding powerplant availability.

The development comes after India had reportedly threatened to cancel the contract with GE following problems identified in the sixth engine.

The F404-GE-IN20 engines power the Tejas Mk-1A variant, which is a more advanced, larger-order version of the indigenous fighter designed to bolster the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet.