New Delhi: GE Aerospace delivered the fifth F404-IN20 jet engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday for India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A fighter jet program.

"GE Aerospace has handed over the fifth F404-IN20 engine against the order from 2021. GE Aerospace and HAL continue to work closely to ensure clear line of sight of production schedules for the F404 engines," a GE Aerospace spokesperson stated.

The F404-IN20 powers HAL's LCA Mk1A, with the fourth engine handed over in October. HAL secured 113 such engines from GE Aerospace in a 2021 deal, including support for producing 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft.

HAL announced on X an agreement signed on November 7, 2025, for the 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package. Deliveries are slated from 2027 to 2032, following the September 2025 contract for 97 LCA Mk1A jets.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also inaugurated HAL's third LCA Tejas Mk1A production line and second Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 line at Nashik in October.

GE Aerospace recently committed $14 million to expand its Pune facility, building on a prior $30 million investment to upgrade manufacturing and automation for advanced engine components.

With inputs from ANI