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In 2025, 12 engines are expected to be delivered, with GE set to deliver 20 engines annually thereafter to fulfill the 99-engine contract signed in 2021, valued at USD 716 million.
Amid growing concerns over trade tariffs between India and the United States, there is a silver lining in the defense sector, with positive movement on the security front. U.S. aircraft engine giant General Electric (GE) is expected to deliver the first of the 99 GE-404 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by the end of this month, following a delay of nearly two years.
These engines will power the Tejas Mark 1-A fighters, a crucial component of India’s growing fleet of indigenous combat aircraft. The delay in the delivery of these engines has been a major source of anxiety for the Indian Air Force (IAF), and this much-anticipated development marks a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between India and the U.S. defense sectors.
As per officials familiar with the matter, the first contracted engine is already undergoing testing and is set to be delivered to HAL by the end of this month. The delivery timeline includes 12 engines expected in 2025, with set to supply 20 engines annually thereafter, in line with the 2021 contract. This contract, valued at a substantial USD 716 million, reflects the growing defense ties between India and the U.S. as both countries seek to bolster their military capabilities.
The GE-404 engines are central to the Tejas Mark 1-A program, which has faced delays in production due to engine supply issues. The IAF has expressed significant concern over these delays, as the Tejas aircraft is intended to replace older fighter jets and serve as the backbone of India’s air defense. The timely delivery of these engines is seen as critical to meeting the IAF’s requirements for modern, indigenously produced fighter jets.
Simultaneously, there is forward movement in the development of even more advanced defense technologies. HAL, traditionally seen as a public sector unit, is working with to manufacture the more powerful -414 engine in India.
This collaboration is part of a transfer of technology agreement made possible under the India-U.S. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The -414 engine is set to power India’s next-generation aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), currently under development by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The AMCA is expected to be a significant leap forward in India’s pursuit of cutting-edge air combat capabilities, and the domestic production of the GE-414 engine is a key part of India’s broader goal of achieving self-reliance in defense technology.
The AMCA project, however, is not without its challenges. Alongside delays in the delivery of the Tejas aircraft, the Indian Ministry of Defence is addressing concerns about HAL’s capacity to meet the nation’s future defense needs. To this end, the Ministry has formed a committee, chaired by Defense Secretary R.K. Singh, tasked with developing a business model for the AMCA project. This committee’s mandate is to explore avenues for private sector participation in the fifth-generation fighter program, signaling a shift away from HAL’s traditional role in fighter jet production. The goal is to diversify India’s defense manufacturing base, ensuring that the country is not overly reliant on any single entity to meet its defense needs.
While India’s focus is firmly on indigenization, the country is also keeping its options open when it comes to acquiring advanced fighter jets. The U.S. has made a significant offer to supply India with its fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet, which is considered one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. However, India is also exploring the French option, which involves manufacturing Rafale fighters in India along with the M-88 engine, in line with its ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative. This dual-track approach reflects India’s strategic priorities of balancing self-sufficiency with the need for cutting-edge military technology.
In the backdrop of trade tariff concerns, these developments highlight the growing defense cooperation between India and the U.S., as well as India’s efforts to modernize its defense industry. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, these partnerships and initiatives will play a crucial role in shaping India’s military future. With the expected delivery of the GE-404 engines and the ongoing AMCA program, India is positioning itself as a key player in the global defense industry while maintaining its commitment to self-reliance and innovation in defense technologies.
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