US agency begins supply of F-404 engines for Tejas MK-1A jets

American defence main GE Aerospace on Wednesday mentioned it delivered the primary of 99 F-404 plane engines to the Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted (HAL) for the Tejas mild fight jet programme.

State-run HAL is procuring the engines to energy the Mk-1A variant of the Tejas jets.

In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore cope with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF.

The deliveries have been to start in March final yr. Nonetheless, not a single plane has been delivered but.

The beginning of provide of the F404-IN20 engines by the American plane defence main is predicted to assist the HAL begin supply of the jets to the IAF.

Defence sources indicated that delay within the supply of the engines by GE Aerospace was one of many causes for HAL to overlook the deadline for provide of the Tejas jets to the IAF.

It’s learnt that the engine has been delivered to the HAL by the American firm at its manufacturing facility in Lynn close to Massachusetts. The engine is predicted to achieve India by early subsequent month.

GE Aerospace’s F404 household is understood to be probably the most efficient plane engines and it powers hundreds of fight jets worldwide.

“On Tuesday, we have been excited to ship the primary of 99 F404-IN20 engines to our valued buyer Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted (HAL) for the Tejas Mild Fight Plane Mk 1A fighter jet,” GE Aerospace mentioned in an announcement.

“It is a vital milestone in our 40-year relationship with HAL and in our efforts to make sure a powerful future for India’s navy by creating next-generation fighters whereas enhancing the nation’s defence manufacturing capabilities,” it mentioned.

The F404-IN20 engine is a tailor-made design for India’s single-engine fighter programme with the very best thrust inside the F404 household and a higher-flow fan, distinctive single-crystal turbine blades, and quite a few particular elements, the corporate mentioned.

GE Aerospace and Tejas groups collaborated intently for a number of years to customize the engine for the wants of the Indian Air Drive.

“The F404 demonstrated it was a superb match for the Tejas LCA. On its first take a look at flight in 2008, the plane climbed to quite a few mission altitudes and achieved Mach 1.1 velocity,” the engine maker mentioned.

GE Aerospace mentioned by 2016, it fulfilled its dedication to HAL and delivered 65 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas LCA.

“With no further engine orders on the horizon, the manufacturing line for F404-IN20 was shut down.” “Nonetheless, when HAL ordered a further 99 engines in 2021 for the Tejas Mk1A LCA, our staff started the advanced activity of restarting the F404-IN20 manufacturing line, which had been dormant for 5 years, and re-engaging the engine’s international provide chain,” it mentioned.

Indigenously developed Tejas jets are anticipated to be the mainstay of the IAF in coming years.

In November final yr, the defence ministry accorded an preliminary approval to acquire a further batch of 97 Tejas jets for the IAF.

The Tejas plane is a potent platform for air fight and offensive air help missions whereas reconnaissance and anti-ship operations are its secondary roles.

GE Aerospace mentioned restarting a jet engine manufacturing line is a difficult course of.

“Restarting the F404-IN20 engine line in the course of the COVID pandemic was much more difficult.” “With a excessive concentrate on security and high quality, and a outstanding dedication from our provide chain groups and our suppliers and companions, we’ve managed to restart the road,” the corporate mentioned.

“Our proprietary lean working mannequin, flight deck, helped us alleviate bottlenecks and establish options to enhance manufacturing processes and turnaround time,” it mentioned.

The corporate mentioned it’s working intently with its suppliers to ramp up manufacturing on components and supplies for the F404-IN20.

“We are going to proceed to work along with our suppliers to maintain the manufacturing line environment friendly, keep the very best requirements of security and high quality, and ship to our buyer,” it mentioned.

“This week’s first engine supply is a testomony to what we’ve achieved with HAL over the previous 40 years, and an emblem of our mixed potential to make sure a powerful future for India’s navy,” it added.