Defense & Military
India Signs Deal for 113 US Engines to Boost Tejas Fighter Fleet
India secures 113 GE engines for Tejas Mk1A fighters, enhancing IAF’s capabilities and Indo-US defense cooperation with deliveries from 2027 to 2032.
India Secures US Engines for Tejas Mk1A Fighter Fleet
In a significant move to bolster its aerial combat capabilities, India has finalized a major agreement with the United States for the procurement of engines to power its indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The deal, signed between India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and American conglomerate General Electric (GE) Aerospace, underscores a critical step in the modernization of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This procurement is not just about hardware; it represents a crucial component of India’s broader strategy to enhance its self-reliance in defense manufacturing while replacing an aging fleet of Soviet-era aircraft.
The Tejas program has long been the centerpiece of India’s ambition to develop a homegrown fighter jet capable of operating in complex, high-threat environments. The Military-Aircraft is designed for a multitude of roles, including air defense, maritime reconnaissance, and ground attack missions. While the airframe and many of its critical systems are developed domestically, the engine remains a key piece of imported technology. This latest agreement with GE ensures a steady supply of power plants for the next wave of Tejas fighters, specifically the advanced Mk1A variant, which is slated to become a workhorse for the IAF in the coming years.
The Nuts and Bolts of the Agreement
The Contracts formalizes the acquisition of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines, along with a comprehensive support package. These power plants are specifically designated for the Tejas LCA Mk1A fighters, an upgraded version of the aircraft featuring enhanced Avionics and weapon systems. This engine deal is an integral part of a much larger initiative by the Indian government to expand its Tejas fleet. In September 2025, the Defence Ministry greenlit the purchase of 97 additional Tejas Mk1A jets from HAL, a program valued at Rs 62,370 crore.
While the precise financial details of the engine contract itself have been described as a “billion-dollar deal,” it is a follow-on to a previous order. In August 2021, HAL had already signed a $716 million deal with GE for 99 F404 engines to equip the initial batch of 83 Mk1A jets. The new agreement for 113 engines will cover the subsequent batch of 97 aircraft, bringing the total number of Mk1A fighters on order to 180. This sustained procurement highlights the IAF’s growing confidence in the Tejas platform as it moves to build up its squadron strength.
The delivery schedule for the newly ordered engines is set to begin in 2027, with completion expected by 2032. This timeline is critical for HAL, which is ramping up its Manufacturing capabilities to meet the IAF’s demands. The state-owned manufacturer plans to establish three production lines, two in Bengaluru and one in Nashik, to achieve an annual output of 24 Tejas jets. This industrial scale-up is essential to ensure that the airframes are ready as the GE engines arrive, preventing bottlenecks in the aircraft’s induction into service.
The Tejas LCA Mk1A is projected to feature approximately 70% indigenous content, integrating advanced domestic systems like the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar and the Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite.
Strategic Implications and Future Outlook
This engine deal carries weight beyond its immediate military application. It is a clear indicator of the strengthening defense and strategic Partnerships between India and the United States. As India seeks to counter the growing military capabilities of its neighbors, particularly China, such collaborations with Western partners have become increasingly important. The reliable supply of American-made engines for a frontline Indian fighter jet solidifies a technological and logistical interdependence that serves the strategic interests of both nations.
However, the path has not been without its challenges. The rollout of the Tejas fighters has previously faced delays attributed to a slow delivery pace from GE on the 2021 engine order. As of early November 2025, only four of the 99 engines from that deal had been delivered. Officials at HAL have since stated that these supply chain issues have been addressed, with an expectation of receiving two engines per month going forward, a crucial factor for maintaining the production schedule. This resolution is vital for the IAF’s operational readiness and its ability to phase out older aircraft in a timely manner.
Looking ahead, this F404 engine deal may be a precursor to an even deeper collaboration. Discussions are already underway between HAL and GE for a landmark agreement to manufacture the more powerful F414 engines in India. This future deal, valued at over $1.5 billion, would involve a significant transfer of technology, reportedly over 80%, and is intended for the next-generation Tejas Mk2 fighters. Such an arrangement would be a monumental leap for India’s “Make in India” initiative, providing its domestic aerospace industry with the capability to produce cutting-edge jet engine technology on its own soil.
Conclusion: Powering India’s Aerial Future
The finalization of the deal for 113 GE F404 engines is a pragmatic and essential step in the evolution of the Tejas program. It provides the necessary propulsion for the expanded fleet of Mk1A fighters, ensuring that the Indian Air Force can continue its modernization trajectory and maintain a credible deterrent. The agreement directly addresses the immediate needs of the IAF by securing the power plants for nearly 100 new aircraft, which are vital for arresting the decline in its fighter squadron numbers.
Beyond the hardware, this procurement reinforces the strategic alignment between India and the United States and sets the stage for future, more ambitious collaborations in defense manufacturing. The potential for co-producing the next-generation F414 engine in India represents a transformative opportunity for the nation’s aerospace ecosystem. If realized, it would not only power the more advanced Tejas Mk2 but also significantly boost India’s long-term goal of achieving true self-reliance in the critical and complex field of military aviation technology.
FAQ
Question: What exactly did the new deal between India’s HAL and US’s GE entail?
Answer: The deal is for the procurement of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and a support package to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A variant for the Indian Air Force.
Question: How many Tejas Mk1A aircraft will these engines be for?
Answer: These 113 engines are intended for the 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft that HAL is manufacturing for the Indian Air Force, following a contract signed in September 2025.
Question: What is the delivery timeline for these engines?
Answer: The Delivery of the 113 engines is scheduled to start in 2027 and is expected to be completed by 2032.
Question: Is this the first time India has bought these engines from GE?
Answer: No, in August 2021, HAL signed a $716 million deal with GE for 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines for the first batch of Tejas Mk1A jets.
Question: Are there plans for future engine collaborations between HAL and GE?
Answer: Yes, there are ongoing negotiations for a larger agreement to manufacture the more powerful F414 engines in India under a technology transfer agreement. This is for the next-generation Tejas Mk2 fighters.
Sources: Reuters
Photo Credit: HAL
Defense & Military
Airbus and Alta Ares Partner on AI Counter-Drone Integration
Airbus Defence and Space and Alta Ares signed an MOU to integrate AI-guided interceptors into Airbus air defense command systems.
Airbus Defence and Space and European defense technology company Alta Ares signed a memorandum of understanding on June 11, 2026, to integrate artificial intelligence-guided counter-drone interceptors into Airbus air defense command systems.
Announced during the ILA Berlin Air Show, the partnership aims to create a unified sensor-to-shooter chain capable of neutralizing mass-deployed, one-way attack drones. According to a press release issued by Airbus, the agreement will link Alta Ares interceptor hardware and targeting software directly into existing Airbus battle management networks.
Integration of AI and interceptor hardware
The technical integration focuses on connecting Alta Ares systems with Airbus command software. Alta Ares will integrate its Pixel Lock artificial intelligence platform, along with its Black Bird medium-range and X-Lock short-range interceptors, into the Airbus Fortion Integrated Battle Management Software (IBMS) and the Fortion Surface-to-Air Missile Operation Centre (SAMOC).
Alta Ares Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Hadrien Canter stated that modern air defense requires both software and hardware operating simultaneously at scale.
“Integrating Pixel Lock and our interceptors into Fortion IBMS means operators get a single, coherent sensor to shooter chain from detection to neutralisation. That’s what theatre commanders are actually asking for,” Canter said.
François Lombard, Head of Connected Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space, noted that defending against suicide drones is an urgent priority in current asymmetric conflict environments. He emphasized the need for cost-efficient solutions that fit within the broader air defense ecosystem to protect European airspace and allied forces.
Airbus expands counter-UAV portfolio
The Alta Ares agreement follows a series of rapid expansions in the Airbus counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) portfolio through collaborations with specialized defense startups. The prime contractor has utilized the ILA Berlin event to solidify multiple integration partnerships.
On June 10, 2026, Airbus Helicopters signed a cooperation agreement with German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems. That partnership will explore integrating C-UAS interceptors onto military helicopters, beginning with the multi-role H145M platform.
Earlier in the year, on March 30, 2026, Airbus demonstrated its own Bird of Prey interceptor drone. During that test, the autonomous system engaged a target using a Mark I missile developed by Estonian startup Frankenburg Technologies.
Alta Ares scales production
Founded in 2024, Alta Ares specializes in counter-drone systems and on-board artificial intelligence. The company saw its systems first operationally deployed in Ukraine during 2024 and has since expanded to meet military demand for defenses against autonomous drones.
On June 9, 2026, two days prior to the Airbus announcement, Alta Ares secured €50 million in a Series A funding round led by Air Street Capital. The company stated the funding will be used to scale the production of its X-Lock and Black Bird interceptor platforms.
AirPro News analysis
The rapid succession of Airbus partnerships at ILA Berlin highlights a strategic shift for the aerospace manufacturer. Rather than developing bespoke interceptor solutions entirely in-house, Airbus is positioning its Fortion software suite as the central nervous system for European air defense while plugging in specialized hardware from agile startups like Alta Ares, Quantum Systems, and Frankenburg Technologies. We view this modular approach as a direct response to the rapid iteration of drone warfare observed in recent conflicts, where traditional surface-to-air missiles are economically unviable against mass-deployed, low-cost autonomous threats. By securing integration rights with well-funded startups, Airbus ensures its command-and-control architecture remains indispensable to European defense ministries.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
Defense & Military
IAI and Berlin Sign MoU for Aerospace Innovation Center
Israel Aerospace Industries and the State of Berlin signed an MoU to establish an aerospace and defense innovation center in Berlin.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the State of Berlin signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 11, 2026, to establish a new aerospace and defense innovation center in the German capital.
Finalized during the ILA Berlin Air Show, the agreement aims to support startups in the aerospace, defense, security, and dual-use sectors through structured accelerator programs. According to a press release issued by IAI, the initiative is designed to expand the manufacturer’s industrial footprint in Germany, build local production capacity, and create highly skilled jobs in the Berlin region.
Structuring the innovation ecosystem
The new Berlin facility will be modeled after three existing international accelerator programs operated by IAI: Catalyst in the United States, NeuSPHERE in India, and ASTRA in Israel. By integrating into Berlin’s local technology sector, the center will connect emerging technologies with operational defense requirements and global market opportunities.
“This initiative reflects our long-term relationship and commitment to Germany and our vision of building deep, strategic partnerships that combine innovation, industry and operational expertise,” said Boaz Levy, Chairman of the Board at IAI.
Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner noted that the agreement brings first-class aerospace and defense knowledge to the local ecosystem. Wegner stated that establishing such a center in the capital is critical in light of current global crises, supporting aerospace investment and encouraging ties between established companies and startups.
Deepening German-Israeli defense procurement
The MoU follows a period of significant defense procurement activity between IAI and the German government. IAI serves as the prime contractor for the Arrow-3 missile defense system, which was delivered to Germany in late 2025. The system recently became operational as a cornerstone of the country’s broader missile defense architecture.
Beyond the Arrow-3 system, IAI supplies Heron TP drones to the German Air Force and the BlueWhale autonomous submarine to the German Navy. Both the drone and submarine programs were developed in collaboration with German industrial partners.
AirPro News analysis
We view this innovation center as a logical progression of IAI’s strategy to embed itself within the domestic defense industrial bases of its major export customers. By establishing a physical research and development presence in Berlin, IAI transitions from a foreign supplier to a local stakeholder. For the State of Berlin, securing a major international defense contractor’s accelerator program aligns with regional efforts to pivot the local technology sector toward defense and dual-use applications, a trend accelerating across Europe following recent shifts in continental security postures.
Sources: Israel Aerospace Industries
Photo Credit: Israel Aerospace Industries
Defense & Military
Airbus and Kawasaki Explore Japanese ASW Eurodrone Variant
Airbus and Kawasaki signed an MOU to evaluate an anti-submarine warfare variant of the U950 Eurodrone for Japan.
Airbus Defence and Space and Kawasaki Heavy Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Tokyo on June 26, 2026, to evaluate the development of a Japanese anti-submarine warfare variant of the U950 Eurodrone. The partnership focuses on integrating Japanese sensors and effectors into the European uncrewed platform to create a sovereign maritime security asset for the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
According to an Airbus press release, the exploratory agreement will analyze how the Large Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) can carry heavy anti-submarine payloads, including sonobuoys and torpedoes. The collaboration also provides Airbus with operational and logistical data to support potential future European naval variants of the aircraft.
Integrating uncrewed systems with the Kawasaki P-1
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the prime contractor for Japan’s Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, is evaluating operational concepts that would coordinate the Eurodrone with the existing crewed fleet. The two manufacturers plan to submit a joint proposal to the Japanese Ministry of Defense detailing how the modified RPAS could operate alongside the P-1.
The integration of heavy mission payloads is a central focus of the technical tie-up. By equipping the Eurodrone with specialized anti-submarine warfare (ASW) equipment, the platform could conduct extended maritime surveillance and engagement missions, augmenting the capabilities of traditional patrol aircraft.
Eurodrone program background and Japanese involvement
The U950 Eurodrone is currently under development by a consortium of four European partner nations: Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. The program is managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), with the aircraft scheduled to make its first flight in 2029.
Japan has been monitoring the program’s progress since acquiring observer status in 2023. While the Japanese government has not yet placed a firm order for the system, the current agreement establishes a framework for design, development, and commercialization options.
Airbus stated that the initiative aims to ensure Japan can operate the system independently of external constraints.
“With Eurodrone, Japan could complement its current crewed anti-submarine warfare fleet with a very efficient uncrewed platform and strengthen its maritime security in a sovereign and sustainable manner,” Airbus noted in its official statement. The manufacturer added that the technical evaluations are intended to guarantee that Japan can operate the aircraft “sovereignly and without restrictions, should the country decide to acquire the RPAS.”
AirPro News analysis
We view this Memorandum of Understanding as a strategic alignment of mutual requirements. For Japan, the integration of a heavy-payload RPAS with the Kawasaki P-1 aligns with broader global trends toward crewed-uncrewed teaming in maritime patrol operations. An ASW-capable Eurodrone would allow the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force to extend its sub-hunting endurance without increasing the flight hours on its crewed P-1 fleet.
For Airbus, securing Japanese interest in an ASW variant effectively subsidizes the conceptual development of a naval Eurodrone. The European consortium has primarily focused on overland intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. By leveraging Kawasaki’s expertise in maritime patrol integration, Airbus gains a low-risk pathway to mature a naval variant that could eventually be marketed back to the European partner nations.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
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