In order to acquire 113 jet engines for its Tejas light combat aircraft program, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and American defense giant GE Aerospace reached a significant agreement. According to the agreement, the company stated in its regulatory filing that the delivery of the F404-GE-IN20 engines will start in 2027, and the supply must be finished by 2032.
The agreement was reached in spite of the Trump administration’s 50% tax on Indian imports and the ongoing delays in the US-India trade agreement. The Tejas is a multi-role fighter aircraft equipped with a single engine that can operate in high-threat flying conditions. It is intended to perform strike, maritime reconnaissance, and air defense functions.
A contract of Rs 62,370 crore was reached earlier in September between the defense ministry and HAL to purchase 97 Tejas MK-1A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Additionally, the HAL is powering several LCA MK1A aircraft with GE F404-IN20 engines.
The defense ministry and HAL signed a deal worth Rs 48,000 crore in February 2021 to purchase 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft for the IAF.
The main reason for the delays in the delivery of the aircraft is that GE Aerospace failed to meet multiple deadlines for the supply of its aero engines. The IAF is considering inducting the warplanes because its legally sanctioned strength of 42 fighter units has decreased to 31.
