Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has caught investor attention after receiving the third GE-404 engine for its LCA Mark-1A combat aircraft programme from the United States. Defence officials have confirmed that the fourth engine is expected to arrive by the end of this month, boosting the momentum of India’s indigenous fighter jet initiative.
India had signed a $716 million deal with General Electric in 2021 to procure 99 F404-IN20 engines for the LCA Tejas programme. The deliveries faced delays due to supply chain disruptions, including issues with a South Korean component supplier, pushing the schedule to March 2025.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to induct 352 Tejas aircraft, including both Mk1A and Mk2 variants. HAL remains on track to meet its delivery targets for the current year, and the defence company expects engine supplies to stabilise in the next financial year.
Full-scale production is projected to reach 30 aircraft per year by 2026–27, with significant support from public and private industry partners, further strengthening HAL’s manufacturing capabilities and strategic importance in India’s defence sector.
HAL shares were up 0.30% today at ₹4,571.00 apiece around 10.11 am. It has jumped 9.61% this year, so far.
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