Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received fresh assurances from American aerospace giant General Electric (GE) regarding the supply of F404 engines for the TEJAS MK-1A project. Chairman DK Sunil confirmed on Thursday that GE has committed to delivering 20 engines during the second half of 2026.

While this schedule offers a roadmap for the program's recovery, the chairman noted that this figure is a pessimistic estimate and expressed hope that the American firm might exceed this target.

The immediate outlook shows signs of renewed momentum after a period of stagnant supply. HAL currently possesses five engines, with a sixth unit now ready for pickup. This sixth engine is expected to arrive at HAL facilities by the end of April, enabling the company to reach a milestone of having six aircraft fully fitted with Category-A engines within the month.

Despite this progress, the relationship between the two entities remains bound by strict contractual obligations. HAL officials confirmed that they are imposing liquidated damages on GE Aviation for the significant delays encountered so far. These financial penalties are being enforced as per the specific clauses in the contract designed to protect the project from supply chain inconsistencies.

The supply chain bottlenecks have had a direct impact on the delivery timeline for the Indian Air Force. Initial commitments had originally targeted 2025 for deliveries, which was subsequently shifted to March 2026.

Although HAL currently has five aircraft ready with engines installed, none have yet been formally handed over to the air force, as the production line's overall pace remains dictated by engine availability.

The broader TEJAS MK-1A program, which involves a massive order of 180 aircraft, faces a critical evaluation period in the coming weeks. The Indian Air Force is scheduled to conduct a comprehensive review of the project in May.

This review will be a deciding factor in the formal acceptance of the initial batch of aircraft, as the force looks to modernise its fleet amid these logistical hurdles.

While the assurance of 20 engines between June and December provides a much-needed boost, the program's long-term success hinges on GE's ability to maintain a consistent delivery rate. HAL maintains that its production infrastructure is fully prepared to accelerate assembly as soon as the powerplants arrive, bridging the gap between manufacturing readiness and operational deployment.

ANI