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TEJAS MK-1A Fighter Jet: Through the Tejas Fighter Jet programme, India is trying to become self-reliant in the field of fighter aircraft. This program is facing hurdles due to non-development of jet engines in the country. Especially due to Corona infection, there has been a lot of delay in the supply of engines from the American defense company GE, due to which this project has become a victim of delay. However, now it seems that the clouds of crisis have cleared. Good days have come.
TEJAS MK-1A Fighter Jet: A very good news has come as soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin left from India. There is every possibility of the indigenous fighter jet program gaining momentum with the latest development. American defense company GE Aerospace supplied the fifth F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday 5 November 2025. This is considered an important progress in the Tejas MK-1A fighter aircraft program. This delivery has been made under the contract of 99 engines made in the year 2021, on the basis of which the manufacturing of indigenous Tejas aircraft is going on for the Indian Air Force. The latest engine delivery signals the strengthening partnership and stable supply chain between HAL and American company GE Aerospace.
The F404-IN20 engine powers the upgraded Tejas MK-1A. This version is equipped with better avionics, radar and electronic warfare systems compared to its older MK-1 model. HAL says that the induction process of MK-1A aircraft will start soon. The Indian Air Force has already ordered 83 aircraft, while the proposal for 97 more Tejas MK-1A is in the advanced stage. HAL has set a target of manufacturing 30 Tejas annually by 2026-27, which will be achieved through public-private partnership. According to the report of ‘Indian Defense News’, after the first engine delivery in March 2025, the second and third engines were received by HAL by September 11. The fourth engine was handed over by the end of September. Now with the fifth engine, GE Aerospace has reiterated its commitment to deliver 12 engines by the end of the 2025 financial year. These engines have been upgraded to suit India’s requirements, including better thrust and more reliable performance for multi-role operations.
What are the special features of Tejas MK-1A?
- Advanced Electronic Warfare System
- Smarter and faster radar (AESA radar)
- Ability to carry better weapons
- Digital fly-by-wire control system
- Less maintenance, more reliable performance
TEJAS MK-1A Fighter Jet: With the availability of fighter jet engine, the indigenous fighter jet program is expected to gain further momentum. (File photo: PTI)
Defense deal worth ₹8995
In November 2025, HAL signed a major contract with GE for 113 additional F404-IN20 engines and support packages worth more than $1 billion. These engines are exclusively for 97 additional Tejas MK-1A aircraft. These will be delivered between 2027 and 2032. With this, the estimated number of Indian Tejas fleet will reach 352. During the discussions, both sides had detailed discussions on cost, support and production schedule, which reflects the maturing India-US defense cooperation. HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil said that the supply chain has now been stabilized, paving the way for timely delivery of MK-1A aircraft. The four decade old partnership between HAL and GE has now extended to advanced manufacturing transfer, which will strengthen India’s indigenous aerospace capability. This progress of Tejas program not only increases India’s military capability, but also gives a new direction to the country’s defense self-reliance by reducing dependence on foreign platforms.
Which engine powers Tejas MK-1A?
It is powered by the GE F404-IN20 engine, which is manufactured by American company GE Aerospace. It is a fast, powerful and reliable engine. A total of 99 engines are being supplied to HAL, out of which five engines have been handed over.
What kind of payload can Tejas fighter jet carry?
The Tejas MK-1A can carry a variety of weapons including air-to-air, air-to-ground and precision-guided bombs. Both Indian and foreign missiles can be installed in it.
Why is this important for India?
Strengthens India’s defense self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). Increases modern combat capability. Apart from this, it provides reliable and high-tech indigenous platform to the Indian Air Force. In future, Tejas lays the foundation for big projects like MK-2 and AMCA.
China-Pakistan tension will increase
India is continuously progressing in the field of indigenous fighter aircraft manufacturing. Due to lack of domestically developed fighter jet engines, India is facing many problems in the production of indigenous fighter jets. Actually, India has to depend on other countries including America for fighter aircraft engines. This is the reason why India has now started working seriously on the project of developing fighter jet engines domestically. Let us tell you that there is a plan to develop fourth and 4.5++ fighter jet under Tejas fighter jet project. It is also called desi Rafale. This program of India is sure to cause wrinkles on the foreheads of China and Pakistan.
