HAL inks Rs 5,375-cr contract for supply of engines for Tejas aircraft

In an important step that will galvanise India’s largest ever domestic arms deal – viz. the acquisition of 83 Tejas Mark 1A fighters for Rs 45,696 crore – Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has ordered 99 engines worth US $716 million (Rs 5,375 crores) for the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Tuesday.

Since it first flew in January 2001, the Tejas LCA has been powered by a single General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine. HAL is continuing with that engine for its first 123 fighters. Support services for the engine will also be provided by