India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to expedite the delayed delivery of GE F404-IN20 engines, which power the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. The request was made during a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, as reported by The Print.
The delivery of the engines, delayed by over two years, has become a significant obstacle in meeting production timelines for the Tejas jets, developed jointly by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Singh underscored the urgency, stating that the engine delivery is a critical issue and must be resolved on a priority basis.
The GE F404-IN20 engine, manufactured by General Electric, is integral to India’s plans to modernize its air force under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The lightweight, single-engine Tejas fighter has been positioned as a key component of India’s drive toward self-reliance in defense production.
Production setbacks have affected HAL’s ability to deliver the 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets ordered under a ₹48,000 crore contract signed in 2021, with further orders likely to follow. The Indian Air Force, seeking to replace its aging fleet, views the timely induction of Tejas aircraft as crucial to strengthening its operational capabilities amid growing regional security threats.
