The United States will deliver two F404 engines per month for India’s Tejas fighter jets until March 2026, Defence Secretary RK Singh confirmed during an exclusive interaction with CNBC-TV18. The engines, developed by General Electric, are crucial components of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
One F404 engine was delivered in April this year, and the next is expected by the end of July. Thereafter, deliveries will proceed at a rate of two engines monthly. HAL plans to deliver 12 Tejas Mk1A aircraft by the end of the financial year 2026.
Singh also confirmed that negotiations on the technology transfer for the more advanced F414 engines, intended for the Tejas Mk2, have been concluded, with commercial discussions currently underway. The F414 engine deal is expected to support local production and enhance India’s aerospace self-reliance.
In addition to engine deliveries, Singh outlined India’s broader defence procurement plans. He revealed that India is pursuing the emergency procurement of U.S.-made Javelin anti-tank missile systems, and is considering additional orders of the Russian S-400 air defence system once existing deliveries are completed next year. Plans are also in motion to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India for the S-400 system.
Upgrades to the BrahMos missile platform are ongoing, with future variants likely to be adapted for the Tejas aircraft.
Singh emphasized the government’s intent to significantly expand India’s drone capabilities, stating that a large order for defence drones will be placed under the ‘Buy Indian IDDM’ category. The Ministry is open to working with Indian companies developing indigenous drones as well as those importing technology for domestic manufacturing.
Both emergency and long-term tenders for drones, swarm drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are expected to be floated soon, as India continues to scale up its defence preparedness and indigenous capabilities.
