India signs deal with GE for LCA engines
HAL signed a $716 million contract with GE Aviation for 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines for the Tejas fighter. (Gordon Arthur)
India will import GE engines for upcoming LCA Mk1A fighters, but still plans to domestically assemble them for the Mk2.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a $716 million contract with GE Aviation on 17 August for 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services to power the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A.
This is a turnaround from a selection made 11 years ago for 99 higher-thrust F414-GE-INS6 engines to power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Mk2 version of the LCA.
Repeated delays getting the Mk2 off the ground led the IAF to order 83 Mk1A fighters in the interim. This will keep HAL’s factories busy until the Mk2 version emerges and fill gaps in the IAF inventory. Next year, HAL will deliver ten
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Saab shows uncrewed concept and accelerates programme with first flight due in 2027]()
Saab shows uncrewed concept and accelerates programme with first flight due in 2027
Saab expects to fly two collaborative combat aircraft demonstrators, A1 and A2, before the end of the decade, but has stressed that the A3-001 mock-up unveiled on 21 August is only a concept for what could follow in the 2030s.
-
![GKN Aerospace begins engine tests for drone design as part of contract signed in November]()
GKN Aerospace begins engine tests for drone design as part of contract signed in November
A mock-up displayed by GKN Aerospace on 21 August is planned to have a maximum range between 600km and more than 1,000 km with a payload capacity of 100-300kg.
-
![AI-controlled F-16s advance towards autonomous multi-aircraft operations in US]()
AI-controlled F-16s advance towards autonomous multi-aircraft operations in US
The US plans to progressively expand VENOM/AIR testing from single-aircraft flights to multi-platform autonomous operations over the next 12–24 months, generating data that could support future US military AI programmes, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
