Kamal Ghorui
GE signs contract with IAF
NEW DELHI: In a move that will give a boost to India’s Tejas fighter programme and the government’s Make in India initiative, US giant GE Aerospace on Monday announced a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country depot facility for the F404-IN20 engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).“The facility will enhance in-country repair and overhaul infrastructure supporting sustainment and availability of the F404-IN20 engine that powers the Tejas LCA aircraft fleet. It will be set up by the IAF with technical inputs from GE Aerospace and is expected to help India’s indigenous defence sustainment effort. Once operational, the facility will eliminate the need to depend on the overseas repair centres, significantly improving turnaround times,” the US giant said in a statement.
The depot facility will be owned, operated, and maintained by the IAF, with GE Aerospace providing technical inputs, training, support staff, and the supply of necessary spares and specialised equipment. This collaboration marks the next step in the four-decade-long partnership between GE Aerospace and the IAF, the statement read.“Our commitment to supporting India’s armed forces continues to guide our collaboration and partnership in expanding local sustainment capabilities of the Tejas fleet,” said Rita Flaherty, Vice-President of sales and business development for defence & systems at GE Aerospace. “Through the upcoming depot facility, we will support the availability of the F404-IN20 engines for the IAF, ensuring they have ready access to cutting-edge technology to power their defence needs.”The move came especially after HAL imposed contractual penalties on GE for the late delivery of Tejas engines as per the contract. Under a deal signed with GE on Aug 19, 2021, HAL had ordered 99 F404 engines for Tejas jets valued at $716 million (deliveries by 2029). On Nov 7, 2025, HAL signed another deal of $1 billion (approx. Rs 8,868 crore) deal with GE to procure 113 engines for Tejas (deliveries between 2027-32). However, only six engines have been delivered by GE to HAL till now, significantly missing the promised target of 11 engines for the last financial year. This has hampered IAF’s plan to increase its fighter squadrons, which have depleted to 29 from an ideal 42 squadrons, which are required to safeguard the country’s borders in case of a two-front war.
HAL chairman D K Sunil with GE VP (Sales and business development) Rita Flaherty
GE Aerospace is committed to developing India’s aerospace ecosystem, spanning design, development, manufacturing, and sustainment for both commercial and military aviation, the statement said. Other than the Tejas, GE Aerospace engines also power the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and MH60R helicopters, as well as the IAF’s AH-64 Apache helicopters, while LM2500 marine gas turbines provide the power for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and the P-17 Shivalik Class frigates.GE Aerospace has been a partner to India’s aviation industry for over 40 years, and 1,400 GE Aerospace and partner engines are in service, powering major Indian airlines.
