Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has imposed liquidated damages on GE Aerospace for delays in supplying F404-GE-IN20 engines for India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A program. The penalty was confirmed by HAL Chairman and Managing Director C B Ananthakrishnan in a press briefing on April 3, 2026.
The delays have impacted the delivery schedule for the Tejas Mk-1A, a more advanced variant of the indigenous fighter jet. The Indian Air Force has placed a firm order for 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, with deliveries originally slated to begin in 2024.
In related news, the Indian Air Force's existing fleet of LCA Mk-1 aircraft, which had been grounded for nearly two months due to a software issue in the brake system, is expected to be cleared for flying next week after the snag was resolved by a local modification committee.
