What Happened
- GE Aerospace delivered the sixth F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas LCA-Mk1A programme, but missed its revised annual target of 11 engines for FY2025-26 (April 2025–March 2026) by a significant margin.
- Only six engines were delivered against the revised target of 11, creating a production backlog — five Tejas Mk1A aircraft are already fully built and test-flown, awaiting engines before they can be handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr DK Sunil confirmed that GE has committed to delivering 20 engines in the second half of the current financial year (H2 FY2026-27) to compensate for the shortfall.
- GE has also committed to 24 engines per year in FY2026-27 and a target of 30 engines annually from FY2027-28 to resolve the production backlog and meet the IAF's fleet modernisation needs.
- The delivery delay is attributed to supply chain disruptions in GE Aerospace's global manufacturing operations, which have affected multiple aircraft programmes worldwide.
Static Topic Bridges
Tejas LCA-Mk1A Programme — HAL's Flagship Fighter
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is India's indigenously developed supersonic fighter, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO and manufactured by HAL. The Mk1A variant is a significantly upgraded version of the original Mk1, incorporating AESA radar, electronic warfare (EW) suite, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile capability, and a mid-air refuelling probe — features essential to 4.5th-generation fighter standards.
- IAF contract for 83 Mk1A aircraft signed: February 2021; contract value: approximately ₹48,000 crore (~$6.5 billion).
- Aircraft composition: 73 single-seat fighters and 10 twin-seat trainers; all to be delivered within 8 years of contract signing (by ~2029).
- Radar: Israeli Elta ELM-2052 AESA radar (initial aircraft), with transition to indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar on later production aircraft.
- In September 2025, HAL received an additional order for 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, bringing the total to 180 aircraft — making it one of the largest single-type contracts for an Indian aerospace manufacturer.
Connection to this news: The delayed engine delivery directly stalls Tejas Mk1A deliveries to the IAF — without the F404-IN20 engine, completed airframes cannot fly. Every engine delay translates directly into a delayed squadron formation and extends the IAF's fighter fleet deficit.
F404-IN20 Engine and India-GE Aerospace Partnership
The F404-IN20 is a customised variant of GE Aerospace's F404 turbofan engine family, specifically developed for the Indian Tejas programme. The engine produces approximately 85 kN (19,000 lbf) of thrust in afterburner. GE has been the engine supplier for Tejas since the programme's inception, having originally supplied engines for the prototype and Mk1 variants.
- Original Tejas-GE agreement: Engines for 99 Tejas Mk1 aircraft (40 for IAF, 20 for Indian Navy prototypes, and 39 for Mk1A pre-production).
- 2021 HAL-GE contract: 99 F404-IN20 engines for the 83 Mk1A aircraft, plus spares; valued at approximately $716 million.
- GE's global supply chain issues: Post-COVID disruptions affected multiple engine programmes; the same supply chain problems affected Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and other GE-powered platforms.
- HAL has also engaged GE for a potential Future Ready Combat Aircraft (MRFA) engine deal and discussions on the more powerful F414 engine for Tejas Mk2.
- GE Aerospace facility for F404: Lynn, Massachusetts; HAL Chairman visited Lynn to secure delivery commitments.
Connection to this news: The sixth engine delivery is a sign of gradual recovery in GE's delivery schedule, but the miss against the FY2025-26 target of 11 engines demonstrates that GE's supply chain challenges persist, threatening India's fighter modernisation timeline.
IAF Squadron Strength and the Fighter Deficit
The Indian Air Force is currently operating significantly below its sanctioned strength of 42 combat squadrons. The IAF's fighter fleet has been shrinking due to the retirement of MiG-21 variants (the last MiG-21 squadron retired in FY2024) without adequate replacements. The current operational strength is estimated at approximately 30–31 combat squadrons — a critical gap for a country with two adversarial nuclear-armed neighbours.
- IAF sanctioned strength: 42 combat squadrons; estimated current strength: ~30–31 squadrons (as of early 2026).
- Aircraft in service: Rafale (36), Su-30MKI (~240), Mirage 2000 (~45), Jaguar (~100), Tejas Mk1 (~40).
- Tejas Mk1A's role: To replace the retired MiG-21 Bison and eventually older Jaguars, directly addressing the squadron deficit.
- Rafale-Marine deal: India also signed a deal for 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy in 2023.
- AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft): India's 5th-generation fighter under development by ADA/DRDO; first flight expected in the early 2030s.
Connection to this news: Every delayed Tejas Mk1A engine delivery means the IAF's fighter deficit persists longer. With the IAF already 10–12 squadrons below sanctioned strength, the F404 delivery shortfall has direct consequences for national security and air power readiness.
Key Facts & Data
- F404-IN20 engine thrust: ~85 kN (19,000 lbf) in afterburner; manufactured by GE Aerospace, Lynn, Massachusetts
- HAL-GE engine contract (2021): 99 F404-IN20 engines for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft; ~$716 million
- FY2025-26 delivery target: 11 engines; actual delivered: 6 (shortfall: 5 engines)
- GE commitment: 20 engines in H2 FY2026-27; 24 per year in FY2026-27; 30 per year from FY2027-28
- Tejas Mk1A IAF contract: 83 aircraft (73 single-seat + 10 twin-seat), signed February 2021, ₹48,000 crore
- Additional Mk1A order (September 2025): 97 more aircraft; total now 180 Tejas Mk1A on order
- IAF sanctioned strength: 42 combat squadrons; current ~30–31 (deficit of ~10–12 squadrons)
- Tejas Mk1A key upgrades over Mk1: AESA radar, EW suite, BVR missiles, mid-air refuelling probe