GE Aerospace announced on 7 October 2026 that it had shipped four F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A programme. The engines were shipped in September 2026, taking the total supplied to HAL to 14, including 10 supplied earlier.
F404-IN20 Engine Supply
GE Aerospace is contracted to supply 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL under a ₹5,375-crore agreement signed in 2021. In August 2026, the company delivered three engines for the LCA Tejas Mk1A programme. It has assured HAL of 20 engine deliveries between June and December 2026 and expects to supply more than 20 engines annually from 2027. The F404-IN20 is an afterburning turbofan engine manufactured by GE Aerospace. It powers the single-engine LCA Mk-1A, an Indian fighter aircraft developed for the Indian Air Force. HAL is imposing contractual penalties on GE Aerospace over delays in engine supplies.
LCA Mk-1A Orders and Production
The Indian Air Force has ordered 180 LCA Mk-1A fighter aircraft through two contracts. The first contract, for 83 aircraft, was signed in February 2021; the second, for 97 aircraft, was signed in September 2025. The aircraft is intended to replace the IAF’s retired MiG-21 fighters. HAL’s LCA Mk-1A production lines are located in Bengaluru and Nashik, with a stated capacity of 24 aircraft annually. The first aircraft under the initial order was due for delivery in March 2024. Delays in engine supply and in obtaining key certifications contributed to the missed deadline. Deliveries under the first contract are expected to begin in December 2026, and the aircraft is expected to enter service by the end of 2026.
Aircraft and Development
The LCA Tejas is a lightweight, single-engine, supersonic combat aircraft developed in India. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, led its design, while HAL is the manufacturer. The Mk-1A is an upgraded variant of the LCA Mk-1.
Important Facts for Exams
- The Aeronautical Development Agency is an organisation under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
- HAL is a public-sector aerospace and defence company under India’s Ministry of Defence.
- The LCA Tejas is a single-engine, supersonic combat aircraft.
- The F404-IN20 is an afterburning turbofan engine produced by GE Aerospace.
The LCA Mk-1A programme combines aircraft production by HAL with F404-IN20 engine supply by GE Aerospace. The Indian Air Force’s two orders cover 180 Mk-1A aircraft.
