On Monday, July 15, 2025, India got its second GE-F404 engine from the U.S. for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A fighter jet program.
A high ranking Defence official has confirmed the news, stating that the public sector company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received the engine and is expected to get 12 additional GE-F404 engines by the close of this financial year.
“The engines are going to be installed on the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets. Their delivery has been pushed back by more than a year because of supply chain issues encountered by the American engine maker”, the official mentioned.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered 83 LCA Mark 1A aircraft. There’s also a proposal for 97 more aircraft that’s making good progress after getting the green light from the Defence Ministry, as per the official.
Back in August 2021, HAL placed a ₹5,375 crore order for 99 F404 engines from GE Aerospace to power the homegrown Tejas Mk-1A.
Earlier this year, HAL got its first GE-F404 engine in March. These engines will be fitted into the LCA Mk-1A fighters, and HAL is looking to deliver over 10 aircraft to the IAF soon.
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