Context:
Amid concerns regarding engine supply, General Electric (GE) Aerospace has delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A fighter jet program.
More on the news:
- This marks the commencement of deliveries for the delayed program, with 12 engines expected to be delivered by the end of this year.
- The first engine departed from GE’s facility on March 25, 2025, and is expected to reach India in April 2025.
- The delay has affected the deliveries of 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, a fact lamented by Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on several occasions.
- Upon arrival in India, the engine will undergo additional testing at HAL’s facilities before being integrated into the Tejas Mk 1A aircraft.
- A firm delivery date to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has not been confirmed yet.
Tejas Aircraft
Tejas Mark (Mk) 1 is a 4.5 generation, lightweight, high-agility supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft, which entered service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in July 2016.
It is a single-seater fighter aircraft with a single engine.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) led the design and development of the aircraft under the light combat aircraft (LCA) programme, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) working as the prime industrial contractor.
- The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program was started in the 1980s, with the Government of India (GoI) establishing the project in 1983 to replace Mig-21 fighters.
- The objective of the programme was to enhance and develop India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.
The LCA’s maiden flight was successfully completed on January 4, 2001 and it was named Tejas in 2003. It was inducted into the force in 2016.
The IAF currently operates two LCA squadrons with the first LCA squadron No. 45 “Flying Daggers” in the IAF was formed in July 2016. The second LCA squadron N0. 18 “Flying Bullets” was operationalised in May 2020.
About the Production and Delays of Tejas Mk 1A
- By the end of 2025, HAL expects to have three Tejas Mk 1A jets already flying, with 12 jets in total ready by the year’s end.
- Additionally, one aircraft will be ready from the Nasik facility, and 11 will be produced at the Bengaluru facility.
- The delay in the delivery of the F404-IN20 engines was primarily due to the challenge of restarting the production line for the engine, which had been dormant for five years after delivering 65 engines for earlier Tejas Mk 1 aircraft.
- The process of reactivating the engine production line faced significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, further complicating GE Aerospace’s efforts to ramp up production.
- GE Aerospace stated that it is on track with the revised schedule agreed upon with HAL, with the supply chain issues now resolved and production stabilizing.
- HAL aims to produce 87 Tejas Mk 1A aircraft over the next three and a half years, with an additional 97 jets to be delivered by FY 2031-32. The production rate will increase to 24 jets annually.
- Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, emphasized that the IAF requires 35-40 new fighter jets annually to address its existing shortages. He also mentioned that HAL has committed to producing 24 Tejas Mk 1A jets next year.
About F404-IN20 Engine
- The F404-IN20 engine is a customized version of the F404 engine family, designed specifically for the Tejas LCA.
- It offers the highest thrust in the F404 family, featuring a higher-flow fan, unique single-crystal turbine blades, and several other specialized components for the Indian Air Force’s needs.
- The F404-IN20 engine has been integral to the Tejas LCA program since its selection in 2004.
- The engine proved its suitability during the LCA’s first test flight in 2008, achieving Mach 1.1 speed and reaching multiple mission altitudes.
F404-IN20 Engine Selection
- The F404-IN20 engine was chosen in 2004 for the Tejas program due to its optimal thrust and performance for a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft.
- F404-IN20 has become a key component of the Tejas Mk 1A’s development, demonstrating its suitability during the first test flight in 2008.
Strategic Significance
- This delivery highlights the progress made in overcoming production and supply chain disruption challenges, underscoring the importance of the Tejas Mk-1A program in enhancing India’s air combat capability.
- The successful delivery of the F404-IN20 engines is crucial to strengthening the IAF’s fighter jet fleet and bolstering India’s defense self-reliance objectives in the coming years.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently has only 31 squadrons, well below the sanctioned 42.5 squadrons, creating a pressing need for new aircraft like the Tejas Mk 1A to fill the gap.