HAL prepared to buy 113 jet engines for Tejas aircraft
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a major deal with US defence company GE Aerospace. HAL has signed a major deal to procure 113 jet engines for its Tejas’s light combat aircraft (LCA) programme. This agreement has been reached amid tensions in relations between the two countries due to the imposition of 50 percent customs duty in the US on imports of Indian products. Officials said on Friday that the delivery of F-404 GE-IN20 engines will start from 2027 and will be completed by 2032. The value of this deal is estimated to be around $1 billion (about Rs 8,870 crore).
HAL said it has signed a contract with General Electric Company (GE) to supply engines and support packages for a production program of 97 LCA Tejas MK-1A aircraft. The Ministry of Defence signed a deal with HAL in September worth Rs 62,370 crore. Under this agreement, 97 Tejas MK-1A aircraft will be procured for the Indian Air Force. It is capable of carrying out missions such as air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike.
HAL is also using the GE F-404 engine in the first batch of LCA MK-1A aircraft. The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth Rs 48,000 crore with HAL in February 2021 to procure 83 Tejas MK-1A aircraft.
However, delays in engine delivery by GE Aerospace have hampered the supply of these aircraft. Sources said the Air Force is currently seeking timely delivery of Tejas aircraft to replenish its dwindling fighter fleet. Currently, the Air Force has 31 squadrons, while its authorised strength is 42.
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