New Delhi: India’s indigenous fighter jet programme has received a major boost with the arrival of the GE-404 jet engine from the United States, paving the way for accelerated production of the Tejas Mark-1A. This is the second engine delivered by US-based General Electric for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) variant.

State-owned aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is responsible for building the Tejas jets, is expected to receive 12 GE-404 engines by the end of the current financial year. These engines are crucial to powering the Tejas Mark-1A jets ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF has already placed an order for 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft, with the possibility of an additional 97 being considered. The Air Force currently operates two squadrons of the earlier Mark-1 version, based at Sulur Airbase in Tamil Nadu.

Why it matters for India

The resumption of engine deliveries is a critical development in India's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The upgraded Mark-1A variant, with modern avionics, electronic warfare systems, and enhanced operational capabilities, is a cornerstone of the Indian government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative.

Production had faced delays due to the non-availability of engines, which Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh recently flagged as a key concern affecting timelines. With this bottleneck easing, HAL is expected to begin deliveries soon, significantly contributing to India's goal of reducing reliance on foreign-made fighter aircraft.

The Defence Ministry has already approved the acquisition of 83 Mark-1A jets, and the additional 97 proposed would bring the total number of Tejas fighters to over 220, making them a potential backbone of the IAF in the coming decades. These aircraft are set to replace older MiG-21s, MiG-29s, and Mirage 2000s, which have served India for decades but are gradually being phased out.

Looking ahead: LCA Mark-2 in development

Beyond the Mark-1A, India is also developing the LCA Mark-2, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter. This next-generation platform is expected to offer enhanced combat capabilities and fill critical roles in the future IAF fleet.

IANS inputs