GE Aerospace delivers 4 more engines for LCA Mk-1A
LCA Mk-1A is finally nearing induction into the IAF after missing several deadlines.
GE Aerospace has delivered an additional four F404–IN20 engines to India for the light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) being manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to a GE spokesperson, the shipments took place in September 2026. The company remains committed to providing the engines required to power India's Tejas indigenous fighter jets.
This shipment is in addition to the 10 engines already provided to the state-run aircraft maker. The LCA Mk-1A is anticipated to enter service by the end of this year, following a series of delays. The aircraft will replace the IAF's workhorse MiG-21s, which have been retired after more than six decades of service. The IAF has placed orders for 180 Mk-1A fighter jets, valued at a combined ₹1.1 lakh crore.
The deliveries, which are likely to commence in December, are part of the first contract, with the first Mk-1A aircraft originally scheduled for delivery in March 2024. However, this deadline was missed due to GE Aerospace's inability to supply the engines on time and delays in obtaining necessary certifications. GE Aerospace is expected to deliver more than 20 engines annually from 2027 onwards.
HAL aims to produce 24 LCA Mk-1As per year at its facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik. It plans to complete deliveries under the second contract in 2027-28, with the process taking three to four years. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh expressed concerns about the delay in inducting new fighter jets, emphasizing the need for the timely delivery of the LCA Mk-1A, the new multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), and additional Sukhoi-30MKIs to bolster the IAF's combat strength.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
