India Nears $1B GE Engine Deal for Tejas Jets
India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the procurement of 97 additional Tejas LCA Mk-1A fighter jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at an estimated cost of ₹62,000 crore, aimed at bolstering the Indian Air Force’s dwindling squadron numbers.
$1B Engine Deal with US in Final Stages
India and the United States are close to finalising a deal worth around $1 billion with General Electric (GE) to supply 113 more F404-IN20 engines. These engines are intended to power the newly approved batch of 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, supplementing earlier orders that covered 83 jets. The agreement is expected to be signed by September.
Engine Supply—Critical to Production
The F404-IN20 engine is a proven powerplant for the Tejas Mk-1A fleet. India has already received the second GE-404 engine, with HAL expecting a total of 12 by the end of the financial year, reflecting efforts to ease prior supply delays.
Strategic Impact and Self-Reliance Push
The pending engine deal is a critical enabler for India’s indigenous Tejas production and marks another step in reducing dependence on Russian aircraft like the MiG-21. The agreement also strengthens U.S.–India defense collaboration and aligns with India’s broader “Make in India” objective for defense self-reliance.
