HAL signs ₹8,870 crore deal with this company, will purchase 113 jet engines for Tejas aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a major deal with US defense company GE Aerospace to purchase 113 jet engines for its Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) program. This agreement comes amid tensions between the two countries due to the imposition of a 50 percent customs duty on imports of Indian products in the US. Officials said on Friday that deliveries of the F-404 GE-IN20 engines will begin in 2027 and be completed by 2032. The deal is estimated to be worth approximately $1 billion (approximately ₹8,870 crore).

The Defense Ministry signed a deal worth ₹62,370 crore with HAL in September.

HAL stated that it has signed this agreement with General Electric Company (GE) for the supply of engines and support packages for the production program of 97 LCA Tejas MK-1A aircraft. The Defense Ministry signed a deal worth ₹62,370 crore with HAL in September. Under this agreement, 97 Tejas MK-1A aircraft will be procured for the Indian Air Force. Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft designed for high-threat air missions. It is capable of performing missions such as air defense, maritime reconnaissance, and strike.

The Indian Air Force wants timely delivery of Tejas aircraft.

HAL is also using the GE F-404 engine in the first batch of LCA MK-1A aircraft. The Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth ₹48,000 crore with HAL in February 2021 to purchase 83 Tejas MK-1A aircraft. However, delays in engine delivery by GE Aerospace have hampered the delivery 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 authorized strength is 42.