Delivery of first Tejas Mk-1A engine from GE likely in March

FIRST OF THE CONTRACTED 99 ENGINES IS ALREADY ON THE TEST-BED

- Shishir Gupta

NEW DELHI: American engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) is expected to deliver the first of the F404 engines that will power India's homemade combat jet Tejas Mk-1A by the end of March, two officials aware of the matter have said.

The first of the contracted 99 engines is already on the test-bed and the deliveries will mark a significant milestone for the ₹48,000-crore jet procurement that has faced multiple setbacks, including a missed delivery timeline. According to officials familiar with the development, GE will deliver 12 engines in 2025, followed by 20 engines annually until fulfilling the 2021 contract worth US$716 million.