NEW DELHI, — April 13, 2026 : India and the United States have reached a significant milestone in defence aerospace cooperation as GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) concluded technical discussions on the co-production of the F414 fighter jet engine. In parallel, GE Aerospace has signed a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) depot for the F404-IN20 engines powering the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleet.
F414 Co-Production Moves to Commercial Phase
The completion of technical discussions marks the end of the most complex phase of the F414 engine co-production agreement, particularly covering the transfer of technology (ToT), which accounts for approximately 80 percent of the programme by value and is largely focused on manufacturing processes.
With technical parameters now finalized, the programme will transition into the commercial negotiation phase. The final contract is scheduled to be signed within the current financial year.
Under the agreement, a domestic production facility will be established by HAL. The manufacturing line is expected to become operational within two years following the signing of the final contract. The initial scope includes the production of 99 F414 engines, with provisions to scale output as the Indian Air Force projects a requirement for approximately 120 to 130 Tejas Mk-2 fighter aircraft.
The F414 engines are designated to power the upcoming Tejas Mk-2 variant. The programme is expected to support the development of infrastructure required for manufacturing a 4.5-generation class fighter engine in India. It will also facilitate the creation of testing facilities, exposure of the workforce to advanced manufacturing technologies, and development of practical expertise in engine production processes.
From an operational perspective, the arrangement aligns stakeholder interests. The Indian Air Force secures engine availability for future platforms, while the Ministry of Defence advances its objective of reducing import dependence in defence procurement.
Rita Flaherty, Vice President for Sales and Business Development for Defence and Systems at GE Aerospace, stated that agreement has been reached on all technical aspects of the work related to the F414 programme.
F404-IN20 Depot Facility for Tejas Fleet
Alongside the F414 progress, GE Aerospace has finalized a separate contract with the Indian Air Force to establish a domestic depot-level MRO facility for the F404-IN20 engines currently in service with the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A fleets.
The facility will be fully owned, operated, and maintained by the Indian Air Force. GE Aerospace will provide technical support, including training of personnel, supply of specialized equipment, support staff, and necessary spare parts required to operationalize the depot.
The F404-IN20 is the highest-thrust variant of the F404 engine family and is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). It currently powers the operational Tejas LCA fleet.
Once operational, the depot facility is expected to eliminate the need to send engines overseas for major servicing. This is anticipated to reduce turnaround times for engine maintenance and improve fleet availability and operational readiness.
Strengthening Domestic Sustainment Ecosystem
These parallel developments indicate a structural shift in India’s military aviation sustainment and manufacturing ecosystem. The establishment of a domestic production line for F414 engines, combined with a local MRO facility for the F404 fleet, reduces reliance on foreign supply chains and overseas repair infrastructure.
The initiatives are aligned with India’s broader defence indigenisation objectives by integrating manufacturing, maintenance, and lifecycle support capabilities within the country.
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