India strengthened its commitment to modernizing its air power and boosting its self-reliant defense program with an acquisition.
The nation finalized a deal worth over $1 billion with the Fairfield, CT-headquartered aerospace company General Electric for another 113 GE-F404 jet engines. These critical power plants are destined for the indigenous Tejas Mark-1A light combat aircraft, representing a significant step to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational readiness and address a persistent capability gap.
The new engines are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2032, supplementing an earlier order of 99 engines placed in 2021. The state-run aerospace company, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is the recipient and will use the engines to scale up production. This agreement is vital as previous shortages in engine supply had slowed the Tejas program. With this assured supply, HAL plans to ramp up production to 20 aircraft per year, aiming to eventually reach 24–30 jets annually when a third production line at Nashik becomes operational.
Addressing current production, HAL has already completed 11 Tejas Mark-1A jets, four of which are equipped with the new GE-F404 engines, with the remaining aircraft undergoing production and testing in Bangalore. Certification trials are advancing, targeting the delivery of the initial batch of ten aircraft to the IAF by March next year.
Beyond simply filling inventory, the Tejas Mark-1A jets are simultaneously being integrated with advanced combat systems, including the Astra beyond-visual-range missiles, ASRAAM short-range missiles, and the Elta ELM-2052 multi-mode radar. These upgrades are designed to ensure the Mark-1A meets modern air combat requirements. This acquisition is crucial., as the IAF is currently operating well below its authorized fighter squadron strength, and the planned induction of more than 180 upgraded Tejas Mark-1A jets is essential to bridge this gap,
This $1 billion deal not only secures the present but also lays the groundwork for the future, as HAL is already negotiating the co-production of the more powerful GE-F414 engines for the upcoming Tejas Mark-2 program.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
