HAL Orders 99 F404s for Tejas Light Combat Aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) ordered F404 engines to power the single-engine Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Valued at $716 million, the order includes 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services.

“We are proud of our 16-year-long partnership with HAL and happy to extend our relationship with this new order,” said Chris Cyr, Vice President Military Sales and Business Development for GE Aviation. “The F404 family of engines has proven itself in operations all over the world, and we have committed to deliver all 99 engines and support services by 2029.”

The F404-GE-IN20 engine is an enhanced production version of the F404-GE-F2J3, which is successfully powering India’s Light Combat Aircraft demonstrator. The highest thrust variant of the F404 family, the F404-GE-IN20 incorporates GE’s latest hot section materials and technologies, as well as a FADEC for reliable power and outstanding operational characteristics.

The F404-GE-IN20 engine leverages more than 14 million engine flight hours from the F404 family of engines, which has powered 15 different production and prototype aircraft.