The Indian Air Force has partnered with GE Aerospace to establish a staging and maintenance facility for F404-IN20 engines used in the Tejas fighter aircraft. The new depot will support domestic overhaul and servicing, ensuring sustained engine performance and fleet readiness.
GE stated that the facility will integrate its engineering expertise with operational inputs from the IAF, enabling faster maintenance cycles and reducing reliance on foreign support infrastructure. The air force will manage and own the site, while GE will contribute training, personnel support, spare components, and advanced technical solutions.
The F404-IN20 engine features an afterburning turbofan design with FADEC, delivering roughly 20,000 horsepower. This propulsion system allows the Tejas to achieve speeds of Mach 1.8, operate at altitudes of up to 16,000 meters, and maintain a combat range of about 3,000 kilometers.
The initiative builds on a November 2025 deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and GE Aerospace to supply more than 100 engines for the Tejas program, with deliveries planned from 2027 through 2032.
