US firm delivers Tejas MK 1A engine after delays, India to ramp up production
The contract had experienced a two-year delay, affecting HAL's timelines for expanding India's fleet. GE Aerospace's recent delivery is seen as a crucial step in reviving the project's momentum.HAL has been restructuring its production line in Bengaluru to accelerate the integration of these engines.A new assembly line has been added to enhance the pace of production, aiming to deliver 16 Tejas MK 1A units annually to fulfil the contract by 2028. This restructuring is expected to alleviate the delays in engine delivery."Despite the delay in engine delivery, we have optimised our assembly process to ensure swift deliveries. The arrival of the F-404 engines will allow us to ramp up production significantly," An official from HAL said.GE Aerospace had to restart the production line for the F404-IN20 engines, which had been dormant for five years."With no additional engine orders on the horizon, the production line for F404-IN20 was shut down. However, when HAL ordered an additional 99 engines in 2021, our team began the complex task of restarting," GE noted.The delivery of these engines is anticipated to enhance the Indian Air Force's operational capabilities, particularly since it currently relies on older fleets.The Tejas MK 1A, with its upgraded features, is expected to significantly bolster India's air defence when deployed.GE Aerospace is now working closely with suppliers to maintain efficient production, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality in delivering the engines to HAL.- Ends
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