General Electric may deliver LCA engines by March or April; India invokes penalty clause.

• GE is expected to deliver F-404 jet engines to power Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A by March or April 2025.
• The delay is a “pure logistical issue” and is not a political issue.
• The deal is between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), with no politics involved.
• The Defence Ministry signed a ₹48,000-crore deal with HAL in February 2021 for 83 LCA-Mk1A.
• In August 2021, HAL signed a $716-million deal with GE Aviation for 99 F-404 aircraft engines and support services for the LCA-Mk1A.
• The delay is expected to be two years from the contractual terms, with a penalty clause in the deal.
• GE Aerospace is working with HAL and suppliers to resolve supply chain pressures and deliver F-404-IN20 engines for the LCA-Mk1 programme.
• The Defence Ministry has approved procurement of another 97 of the 83 Mk1A aircraft, resulting in 180 LCA-Mk1A jets and 220 MK1 variant jets.