NEW DELHI — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has encountered another major challenge in India’s Tejas Mk1A fighter jet program after discovering a technical defect in the sixth GE F404-IN20 engine supplied by GE Aerospace. The issue, identified during routine quality inspection, is expected to further delay deliveries of the advanced fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
According to officials, the affected engine arrived in May 2026 and was undergoing standard acceptance checks when engineers detected the fault. HAL immediately informed GE Aerospace and requested urgent technical assistance to investigate and resolve the problem.
Industry sources say that a team of GE Aerospace experts is expected to travel to India soon to inspect the engine. If the issue cannot be repaired locally, the U.S. manufacturer is expected to provide a replacement engine, helping minimize additional delays.
The latest setback increases pressure on HAL, which is already working to overcome production bottlenecks while implementing required upgrades and modifications to the Tejas Mk1A aircraft. The fighter jet is a crucial component of India’s plan to modernize its air force and strengthen its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has reportedly indicated that it may impose liquidated damages (financial penalties) on HAL because of continued delays in meeting the agreed delivery schedule. The move would be in accordance with the terms of the production contract.
Under a 2021 contract valued at approximately ₹5,375 crore, GE Aerospace is responsible for supplying 99 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas Mk1A fleet. Despite the engine issue, HAL continues assembling aircraft structures and integrating other critical systems so production can move forward once engines become available.
Officials remain cautiously optimistic that the seventh engine will arrive next month as scheduled. If no further technical issues arise, HAL aims to deliver the first batch of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force by the end of 2026.
The Tejas Mk1A program remains a key pillar of India’s self-reliance (“Atmanirbhar Bharat”) initiative in the aerospace and defense sector. Both HAL and GE Aerospace are working closely to resolve the latest technical challenge and reduce its impact on the overall production timeline.
Key Facts
- HAL detected a technical snag in the sixth GE F404-IN20 engine received in May 2026.
- The defect was discovered during routine quality checks.
- GE Aerospace has been officially informed and is providing technical support.
- The Ministry of Defence is considering financial penalties due to delays in Tejas Mk1A deliveries.
- HAL still expects to begin delivering the first Tejas Mk1A aircraft by the end of 2026, subject to successful resolution of the engine issue.
