India received the second GE-404 engine from the US on Monday, which is considered a major step for the country’s ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A project. This advanced engine is assigned to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which will add them to Tejas aircraft. According to defense officials, HAL will get a total of 14 such engines from the US by March 2026, of which two have already reached India.

97 more preparations after 83 aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already placed a firm order of 83 Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft to HAL. Along with this, 97 more aircraft procurement process is in the final stages under another proposal received from the Ministry of Defense. This entire scheme strengthens India’s self -reliant defense strategy, where indigenous aircraft equipped with sophisticated technology will protect Indian air base.

The first engine was found in early 2024

Earlier in early 2024, the US GE Aerospace Company assigned HAL to HAL’s first F404-IN20 engine. HAL is working on a plan to hand over more than 10 aircraft to the Air Force in the first batch by applying these engines in Tejas Mark-1A aircraft. Recently, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P.K. Mishra also visited HAL’s unit in Bangalore and reviewed the Tejas Mark-1A and future Tejas Mark-2 project.

India will prepare more than 400 Tejas

Tejas Mark-2 is preparing to make an option of old Air Force’s old aircraft like Mirage 2000, Jaguar and MiG-29 by around 2035. Experts associated with the defense sector believe that India will prepare more than 400 Tejas aircraft in the coming years, using GE advanced engines.

The $ 716 million deal was done in 2021

India and General Electric (GE) had an agreement of $ 716 million in 2021, under which India are to get a total of 99 F404-IN20 engines. However, this delivery could not be completed on time as the obstacles in the supply chain worldwide and the delay of a South Korean part of South Korea influenced the plan. Now according to the new schedule, the delivery of all engines will be completed by March 2026.

Tejas Mark-1 A, Next generation fighter aircraft

Tejas Mark-1A is more advanced and modern than the old Tejas Mark-1. Its most important feature is its AESA radar system, which has been made based on Israeli ELM-2052 technology. This radar can simultaneously track multiple goals in a long range, and also act effectively in electronic jamming or disrupted environment.

The aircraft also has a new digital cockpit, smart multi-function display (SMFDS) and a state-of-the-art Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC MK-1A), which gives better balance and control to the aircraft at high speed and height.

PAK’s JF-17 will compete with Block III

These abilities of Tejas Mark-1A make it stand up against modern aircraft like China-backed JF-17 Block III of Pakistan. Especially in complex and strategic areas such as Ladakh and Northeast, this aircraft will enable the Indian Air Force to give a better lead and quick response.

Strong and decisive steps in defense sector

Tejas Mark-1 is a strong and decisive step towards India’s technical self-reliance and indigenization in the defense sector. Regular delivery of GE engines and continuous progress of HAL indicates that India will not only advance its air force in the coming times, but will emerge as a prominent player on the global platform in the field of defense equipment.