LCA Tejas on fast track: GE to supply two F404 engines a month; India plans to buy Javelin missiles, Stryker vehicles, says Def Secy

The supply of GE F404-IN20 engines for India’s Tejas Mk1A fighter jets has resumed, and General Electric will increase deliveries to two engines per month until March 2026, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh told CNBC-TV18. One engine was delivered in April, and another is expected by the end of July. India signed a $716 million agreement with General Electric in 2021 to procure 99 F404-IN20 engines. Delivery was affected due to supply chain disruptions, including the failure of a South Korean component supplier. As a result, the schedule was pushed back to March 2025. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manufactures the Tejas jets, has been using a limited number of engines to rotate between aircraft for test flights. Despite the delay, HAL plans to deliver 12 Tejas Mk1A jets in 2025. The company has also indicated that penalties may be imposed on GE for not meeting the original timeline.

Tejas production and long-term plans
The Indian Air Force plans to induct a total of 352 Tejas aircraft, combining both Mk1A and Mk2 variants. HAL is on track to meet its delivery targets for this year. The defence firm expects engine supplies to stabilise in the next financial year. Full-scale production is projected to touch 30 aircraft per year by 2026–27, with support from both public and private industry partners.

Emergency missile procurement under discussion
India is also considering an emergency purchase of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and is in talks with the United States for a larger deal. “Negotiations are taking place. We will let you know when they conclude,” Singh said.

As per a report by ThePrint, defence sources noted that India’s infantry has authorisation for between 3,000 and 5,000 ATGM launchers and more than 2,00,000 missiles. However, nearly all current systems are second-generation and outdated, a source was quoted as saying.

The report highlighted a previous shortfall of 68,000 missiles and 850 launchers, which has grown further as existing stock reaches the end of its service life.

US Stryker vehicle under trial, amphibious variant expected
Singh also commented on the US Stryker armoured fighting vehicle, which was recently sent to India for trials. He stated that the tested model did not meet Indian Army needs. “The Indian Army is looking for an amphibious version of the system, which the U.S. will showcase in a future joint exercise with India,” he said.

India aims to replace its ageing BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles under the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle ( FICV) programme.