GE eyes Indian stealth fighter jet engine deal, strengthens aerospace presence

General Electric is also scaling up its engine deliveries to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Tejas Mark-1A combat jet.

General Electric (GE) is actively pursuing a contract to supply engines for India’s upcoming fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, also known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), an Economic Times report said on Monday. GE Chairman and CEO Larry Culp confirmed to the ET that the company’s strong interest in the project, underscoring India’s importance as a key market for both its civil and defence aerospace divisions.

“We’re very interested,” Culp stated. “Our ongoing collaboration on the Tejas programme with the F404 engines places us right at the heart of what matters most in this sector. The US-India relationship is strong, and we are fully committed to supporting and engaging with India’s aerospace ambitions.”

The Indian government recently unveiled plans to accelerate the indigenous development of a fifth-generation stealth fighter, a move that followed the successful execution of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. A central component of this project—a high-thrust jet engine—is expected to be developed through a partnership with an international firm. GE is likely to compete for this opportunity against other global aerospace giants such as Safran and Rolls-Royce.

In related development, General Electric is scaling up its engine deliveries to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Tejas Mark-1A combat jet. Deliveries had been delayed by nearly two years, with the first of 99 F404 engines handed over in March. “We’ve communicated our commitment clearly. Our suppliers are scaling up, and we’ve seen double-digit growth in receipts between April and May compared to the first quarter,” Culp noted.

The development comes days after Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had flagged the delays in defence procurement. Culp acknowledged the issue, emphasizing that while progress is being made, challenges will persist in the near term due to the current aerospace industry boom. “We are in a super cycle, and supply chain discussions will continue to dominate,” he said.

At present, over 1,400 GE engines power various aircraft in India, with an additional 2,500 engines on order. Culp reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to India, saying, “The scale of our presence here reflects how much of a priority this market is for us.”