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India’s state-owned company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has placed an order with GE Aviation to supply 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines for Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA).
The deal is valued at $716m (Rs53.75bn) and is considered one of the largest Tejas LCA deals signed so far. It includes the delivery of other support services.
HAL chairman and managing director R Madhavan said: “This is the largest-ever deal and purchase order placed by HAL for LCA.
“The company is working closely with GE for its support to pursue the export potential of LCA and also to supply spares to the global supply chain of GE 404 engines.
The F404-GE-IN20 engine is the highest thrust variant of the F404 family.
It features GE’s latest hot section material and technologies, as well as full authority digital engine control (FADEC) for reliable power and improved operational characteristics.
The F404 family engines have so far delivered more than 14 million engine flight hours. These engines have powered 15 different types of production and prototype jets.
GE Aviation business development and sales vice-president Chris Cyr said: “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 Tejas single-seat, single-engine, lightweight, high-agility supersonic fighter aircraft manufactured by HAL. It has been operational since 2004.
The aircraft’s design and development programme were led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Indian Department of Defence, with HAL as the prime industrial contractor.