New Delhi: In a significant step toward strengthening India’s defence self-reliance, GE Aerospace has signed an agreement with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country depot facility for the F404-IN20 engine used in the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
The new facility will enable the repair and overhaul of Tejas engines within India, eliminating the need to send them abroad for maintenance and significantly reducing turnaround time.
Major Boost for Tejas Fleet Readiness
The F404-IN20 engine powers the HAL Tejas in its Mk1 and Mk1A variants. Until now, major engine repairs required overseas shipment, often resulting in long delays and reduced aircraft availability.
With the new depot, maintenance operations will be conducted domestically, ensuring faster servicing and improved operational readiness of the Tejas fleet.
Facility to Be Operated by IAF
As part of the agreement, the in-country depot will be fully established in India and operated by the Indian Air Force. GE Aerospace will provide technical assistance, including training, spare parts supply, specialised equipment, and engineering support to ensure maintenance meets global standards.
The initiative is expected to enhance the technical capability of Indian personnel while strengthening the country’s aviation maintenance ecosystem.
Reducing Dependence on Foreign Maintenance
Officials said the biggest advantage of the facility will be a sharp reduction in engine turnaround time. Earlier, the process of shipping engines abroad, repair, and return took several months, often grounding aircraft for extended periods.
Now, the entire process will be completed within India, improving fleet availability and operational efficiency.
Longstanding GE–India Defence Partnership
GE Aerospace has been associated with India’s aviation sector for over four decades. Its engines are used in multiple platforms including the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, MH-60R helicopters, and Apache attack helicopters.
The company’s LM2500 gas turbine engines also power Indian Navy warships, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Strengthening Indigenous Defence Capability
The new F404 engine depot is also seen as a key step toward India’s broader goal of defence self-reliance. Officials noted that localised maintenance will reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure while developing domestic technical expertise in advanced aerospace systems.
Future Upgrades and Ongoing Cooperation
In parallel, discussions are ongoing between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE Aerospace regarding the more powerful F414 engine, which is expected to power the next-generation Tejas Mk2 aircraft.
The move follows recent high-level meetings between GE Aerospace and HAL leadership in Bengaluru, focusing on delivery timelines and future collaboration in India’s fighter aircraft programme.
With this agreement, India takes a major step toward building a robust indigenous aviation support ecosystem, ensuring faster maintenance cycles and stronger defence preparedness.
