US aircraft engine manufacturer GE Aerospace on Monday, 13 April, announced a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country depot facility for the F404-IN20 engines that power IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fleet.
According to the company’s statement, the facility will be set up by the Indian Air Force with technical inputs from GE Aerospace and is expected to strengthen India’s indigenous defence sustainment effort.
Once operational, the facility will eliminate reliance on overseas repair centres, significantly improving turnaround times.
The depot facility will be owned, operated and maintained by the Indian Air Force, while GE Aerospace will provide technical inputs, training, support staff, and the supply of necessary spares and specialized equipment.
According to the company, this collaboration marks the next step in the four decade-long partnership between GE Aerospace and the IAF.
Rita Flaherty, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Defence & Systems at GE Aerospace, said, “Through the upcoming depot facility, we will support the availability of the F404-IN20 engines for the Indian Air Force, ensuring they have ready access to cutting-edge technology to power their defense needs.”
The company highlighted its broader commitment to develop India’s aerospace ecosystem, spanning design, development, manufacturing and sustainment.
It noted that 150 engineers have graduated from its two-year Edison Engineering Development Program in India, while over 5,000 individuals have been trained in core manufacturing skills at its Pune facility over the past decade.
Additionally, a four-year “Next Engineers” programme launched in Bengaluru in September 2025 aims to support 4,000 young engineering aspirants.
Beyond the Tejas programme, GE Aerospace engines power multiple Indian military platforms, including the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and MH60R helicopters, as well as the Indian Air Force’s AH-64 Apache helicopters. Its LM2500 marine gas turbines are used in naval platforms such as INS Vikrant and P-17 Shivalik-class frigates.
GE Aerospace stated that it has been associated with India’s aviation sector for over 40 years, with around 1,400 engines in service across commercial and defence segments.
The company’s Pune manufacturing facility, 13 local partners, and the India Technology Centre in Bengaluru form part of its global supply chain and research network.
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