US defence major delivers first LCA engine to HAL, 12 more this year

AMID prevailing anxiety regarding the supply of engines by General Electric (GE), the latter on Wednesday announced the delivery of the first Aerospace F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

- MAYANK SINGH @New Delhi

"On Tuesday (March 25), we were excited to deliver the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to our valued customer HAL for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A fight jet," said Shawn Warren, General Manager, Combat and Trainer Engines, GE Aerospace.

It will reach sometime in April, and a source said, "It will be put under some more tests once it reaches HAL and will be married with the fuselage thereafter."

The rest of the 98 engines are expected subsequently, 12 engines within this year. HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil said at Aero India in February that 12 LCA Mk1A jets would be ready this year.