HAL inks $1-bn fighter engine deal with GE

Plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday announced that it has signed a deal with US engine maker GE Aerospace for 113 F404-IN20 engines to power the 97 additional light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) ordered by the defence ministry to boost the air force's readiness.

- Rahul Singh

The deal, estimated to be worth $1 billion, includes a support package for the execution of the programme.

The engine deliveries would take place between 2027 to 2032, HAL said in a statement on X.

The new engine contract comes a month-and-a-half after the defence ministry signed a ₹62,370crore deal with HAL to buy 97 more LCA Mk-1As for the IAF which is wrestling with a worrying shortage of fighter jets. The delivery of these aircraft will begin in 2027-28 and be wrapped up over six years. The aircraft ordered in September include 68 fighter jets and 29 twin-seat trainers.

This was the second contract for the LCA Mk-1As --- the defence ministry ordered 83 LCA Mk-1As for ₹48,000 crore in February 2021 to shore up the Indian Air Force's fighter fleet. To be sure, none of the fighters ordered four years back has been delivered yet. The IAF could get the delivery of the first of