India Takes Delivery of GE-404 Engine from US for HAL's LCA Mark 1A Fighter Jet Programme

India’s light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme took a significant step forward with the arrival of the second GE-404 engine from the United States, supporting Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)'s production of the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets.

GE-404 Engines to Power LCA Mark 1A Jets

The arrival of the second GE-404 engine marks a key milestone in HAL’s plan to ramp up production of the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets. HAL is scheduled to receive 12 GE-404 engines by March 2026 as part of the current fiscal year. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar, while speaking to CNBC News-18, stated, Deliveries will accelerate to 2 engines per month, stabilising supply efforts hindered earlier by global supply chain issues.

Production Scaling and Future Orders

The Indian Air Force has already placed an order for 83 LCA Mark 1A aircraft. Additionally, a proposal for procuring 97 more jets is in advanced stages of consideration. The GE-404 engines are essential for maintaining delivery timelines, with HAL projecting that full-scale production could reach 30 aircraft annually by FY 2026–27.

Strategic Partnership with General Electric

In 2021, India signed a $716 million contract with General Electric for the supply of 99 F404-IN20 engines tailored for the Tejas aircraft programme. While the initial plan had engine deliveries completed by March 2025, the timeline shifted due to component delivery issues caused by a South Korean supplier’s delays.

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LCA Tejas as Cornerstone of Indian Defence

The Tejas Mark 1A is a critical component of India’s defence modernisation strategy. The Indian Air Force plans to induct a total of 352 Tejas aircraft, including both Mark 1A and more advanced Mark 2 variants. The domestic manufacturing push has also roped in private sector partners, expanding India's aerospace capabilities and reducing dependency on imports.

Hindustan Aeronautics Share Price Performance

On July 15, 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics share price opened at ₹4,899.00 on NSE, above the previous close of ₹4,886.20. During the day, it surged to ₹4,932.00 and dipped to ₹4,882.00. The stock is trading at ₹4,895.90 as of 3:29 PM. The stock registered a marginal gains of 0.22%.

Over the past week, it has declined by 2.23%, over the past month, it has declined by 3.00%, and over the past 3 months, it has moved up by 16.40%.

Conclusion

With the GE-404 engine deliveries gaining momentum, HAL is set to meet its annual targets. The timely supply of engines is vital to boosting the LCA Mark 1A programme, supporting the Indian Air Force’s growing fleet and enhancing indigenous defence production.

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