HAL Gets 3rd GE-404 Engine for Tejas Mk-1A Fighter

New Delhi, September 14: The arrival of the third GE-404 engine for India’s Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet programme may look like a routine line item in a defence contract, but for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force, it is a small but decisive step. Without engines, there are no aircraft. And without aircraft, the Air Force’s wait for new squadrons stretches into yet another year.

Why This Delivery Matters

The engine landed in Bengaluru earlier this week, adding to the two already in HAL’s possession. A fourth is expected by the end of the month. That timeline isn’t incidental. The government has promised that the first two Mk-1A fighters will roll out by September-end, but that promise is pinned on weapon trials finishing on time and HAL having the powerplants ready to install.

For context, the GE-404 is no stranger to Indian hangars. It has powered the Tejas Mk-1 fleet for years and is considered a reliable workhorse. But the Mk-1A is different. This variant carries improved avionics, electronic warfare gear, and air-to-air refuelling capability. In short, it’s the Air Force’s attempt to take the Tejas from “light fighter” to a more credible frontline asset.

The Clock Is Ticking

Defence officials say trials for weapon systems are still underway. Without those, the aircraft can’t be cleared for induction. HAL insists it can meet the deadline, but the company’s history with delays is well known. Every missed deadline deepens frustration inside the Air Force, which continues to fly the ageing MiG-21s far longer than anyone would prefer.

What is at stake is not just the delivery of two aircraft but credibility. The Mk-1A order, worth nearly ₹48,000 crore for 83 aircraft, is one of the largest defence contracts handed to a domestic manufacturer. The programme has become a bellwether for India’s defence self-reliance push. If HAL slips again, the ripple will be felt in both South Block and the stock market.

Investors Are Watching Too

In fact, the markets have already reacted. News of the third engine’s arrival nudged HAL’s shares up by more than 1%. Investors have been betting heavily on the company this year, buoyed by its growing order book in fighters, helicopters, and trainers. But this optimism is fragile. Analysts point out that stock sentiment could sour quickly if promised deliveries don’t materialise.

That said, HAL has managed to build momentum. After years of being seen as slow-moving, the company has begun to signal that it can deliver on big-ticket orders. The Tejas Mk-1A is its biggest test yet.

India’s Airpower Gap

The urgency around these deliveries isn’t hard to understand. The IAF’s squadron strength is well below sanctioned levels, and with both China and Pakistan inducting modern fighters at a steady clip, India’s gap in numbers and capability is growing uncomfortably wide.

Tejas was never designed to compete with heavy platforms like the Rafale or Su-30MKI. But as a replacement for the MiG-21 and as a backbone light fighter, its role is critical. Every delay adds pressure on the Air Force to either extend the service life of older jets or rely more heavily on imported solutions both of which undercut the very “Atmanirbhar Bharat” pitch driving the programme.

The Weeks Ahead

The coming fortnight will be telling. If HAL receives the fourth GE-404 as planned and clears weapon integration, the IAF could finally see its first Mk-1A squadron aircraft by September-end. If not, the cycle of postponements that has haunted the Tejas for decades may continue.

For now, the third engine’s arrival has injected some confidence. It shows the supply chain is moving and that the US side of the contract is on track. The harder part getting jets armed, tested, and into operational service still rests squarely on HAL’s shoulders.

After years of promises, the question remains can India’s homegrown fighter finally prove it belongs on the frontline, not just in press releases and order books?

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Ananya Sharma

Senior Political Correspondent – Ananya@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers Indian politics, governance, and policy developments with over a decade of experience in political reporting.

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