Engine maker General Electric (GE) Aerospace on April 2 announced the delivery of the sixth batch of F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A. GE Aerospace is to deliver 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL.

“GE Aerospace has delivered the sixth F404-IN20 engine against a 2021 order,” a GE Aerospace spokesperson said. “The sixth F404-IN20 engine was handed over in the US. The handing over takes place in the US, and it will be brought here through freight,” a HAL spokesperson told The Hindu.

The spokesperson did not say when the engine would arrive in India in view of the ongoing crisis in West Asia. HAL was expected to receive twelve engines by the end of the last financial year. However, only six engines have been delivered so far.

The first engine was delivered by the American engine manufacturer on March 26, 2025, and the fifth engine was delivered on December 5. There has been a delay in the delivery of engines for the LCA Mk-1A variant, which was unveiled by Air Chief Marshal A. P.

Singh during the last edition of Aero India in Bengaluru. Singh had criticized. HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.

K. Sunil had earlier said that the delay was due to GE Aerospace not meeting the deadline for supply of engines.

“The primary reason is the engine. When he (IAF chief) mentioned in February (about not being confident about HAL during Aero India), we did not have a single engine from GE, although the airframe was ready,” Dr Sunil had told The Hindu in July 2025.

As per the contract, HAL will manufacture 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft. Delivery of all 83 aircraft was to be completed in eight years from the date of signing the contract.

“HAL will deliver the first three aircraft in the third year and 16 aircraft per year for the next five years,” the Defense Ministry said in 2021.