GE Aerospace announced a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to set up an in‑country depot for the F404‑IN20 engines that power the IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleet. The depot will be owned, operated, and maintained by the IAF, while GE will supply technical inputs, training, support staff, and spare parts, enabling the IAF to conduct maintenance and overhaul of the engines domestically and reduce turnaround times.
The agreement expands GE Aerospace’s presence in the Indian defense market and deepens a four‑decade partnership with the IAF, which has already deployed approximately 1,400 GE Aerospace engines across its fleet. By establishing local sustainment capabilities, GE supports India’s “Make in India” initiative and the IAF’s goal of modernizing its fleet while addressing past engine delivery delays that had led to contractual penalties from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The depot is expected to improve engine availability and mitigate supply‑chain pressures for the Tejas program.
Rita Flaherty, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace, said the company remains committed to supporting India’s armed forces. “Our commitment to supporting India's armed forces continues to guide our collaboration and partnership in expanding local sustainment capabilities of the Tejas fleet,” she said. The contract signals GE’s strategic focus on developing India’s aerospace ecosystem, including design, development, manufacturing, and sustainment, and reinforces its role as a key partner in India’s defense self‑reliance goals.
The move also positions GE Aerospace as a critical supplier for other Indian military platforms, such as the P‑8I maritime patrol aircraft and the AH‑64 Apache helicopters, and strengthens its commercial aviation footprint in India through CFM56 and LEAP engines that power the country’s major airlines. By securing this depot, GE not only secures a long‑term service contract but also gains a foothold in a growing defense market that is increasingly prioritizing indigenous sustainment and manufacturing.
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