India-US Push Tejas Engine Deliveries Faster as New Orders Near Finalisation
India is expediting the delivery of US-made F404 engines for its Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets, with a fresh follow-on order for additional units nearing finalization by August-end. This momentum follows continued defence talks between New Delhi and Washington, even as recent US tariff increases to 50 per cent announced by President Donald Trump.
Defence sources unveil that General Electric (GE) has delivered two engines so far after a delay of over one year, with another one due for delivery later this month. GE has committed to delivering one engine every month, ramping up to two per month from October. The existing contract deals with 99 F404 engines, and the new agreement will cover 97 additional Tejas Mk-1A fighters already approved by India's Ministry of Defence.
Meanwhile, the technical talks have been finalised for the more sophisticated F414 engines, which will propel India's next-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Tejas Mk-2 fighter jets — both to be manufactured in-country. A definitive order for the F414S is expected within the next few months. Official sources have denied media reports of India planning to put on hold purchases of arms and aircraft from the US as "false and baseless." Procurement talks for the Indian Navy's six additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft are also under way, with a US delegation to visit India next month.
Apart from the Tejas programme, discussions are ongoing on the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. It is reported that the Indian Air Force is biased towards the Rafale, which is already inducted in both the Air Force and Navy. Other participating entries include Russia's Su-35, other US-origin fighter aircraft, and Swedish proposals. No interest has been expressed officially in the American F-35.
As MiG squadrons retire progressively and fighter strength is anticipated to drop to 29 squadrons, the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) policy of the government continues to aim at indigenous production being underpinned while strategically augmenting capability selectively by means of imports. In the wake of success with Operation Sindoor, acquisition schedules have been accelerated to meet critical operational needs.
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