An undated photo of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Friday signed a new contract with US major General Electric to purchase 113 F-404 engines to power 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A that the HAL would be manufacturing for the Indian Air Force.
“HAL has entered into an agreement with General Electric on November 7 for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package for execution of 97 LCA Mk1A programme,” the Bengaluru-based state-owned aviation company said in a brief statement. The engine deliveries would commence from 2027 and are scheduled to be completed by 2032.
The agreement with the engine supplier is inked within six weeks of the Defence Ministry entering into a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to buy 97 Tejas LCA Mk-1A at a cost of Rs 62,370 crore.
The mega deal to procure 68 fighters and 29 twin-seater trainer aircraft would commence by 2027-28 and was to be completed in six years.
In 2021, the HAL signed an agreement with GE to supply 99 F404 engines for the manufacturing of 83 Tejas LCA MK-1 combat jets for the IAF. After a delay of nearly two years, the US major has started supplying the engines this year with HAL receiving four F404 engines so far.
HAL officials claimed the company was unable to supply the indigenous combat-jets to the IAF because of the delay in engine supply.