GE Aerospace has announced a new agreement with the Indian Air Force to set up a domestic depot facility for maintaining the F404-IN20 engines used in the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fleet. The announcement was made on Monday and marks a significant step in strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence maintenance.

The upcoming facility will be established within India and will be owned, operated, and maintained by the Indian Air Force. GE Aerospace will play a supporting role by providing technical expertise, training, support staff, and the required spare parts and specialised equipment. This arrangement ensures that the operational control remains with the IAF while benefiting from global technical standards.

The F404-IN20 engines power the HAL Tejas, which is a key part of India’s indigenous defence programme. At present, engine maintenance often requires support from overseas facilities. With the new depot in place, the IAF will no longer need to rely on foreign repair centres. This is expected to significantly reduce turnaround time for engine servicing and improve aircraft availability.

This development is also an important milestone in the long-standing partnership between GE Aerospace and the Indian Air Force, which spans over four decades. Over the years, the collaboration has expanded across various defence and aviation projects, reflecting growing trust and technical cooperation between the two sides.

“Our commitment to supporting India's armed forces continues to guide our collaboration and partnership in expanding local sustainment capabilities of the Tejas fleet,” said Rita Flaherty, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Defence and Systems at GE Aerospace. “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 defence needs,” she said.

GE Aerospace has also highlighted its broader commitment to strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem. The company is involved in multiple areas, including design, development, manufacturing, and long-term maintenance support for both commercial and military aviation sectors. Its efforts go beyond infrastructure and include skill development and training initiatives.

For instance, around 150 engineers have graduated from the company’s Edison Engineering Development Program in India, which is a two-year course aimed at developing future engineering leaders. In addition, over the past decade, various skill-building initiatives have trained more than 5,000 individuals in core manufacturing skills at the company’s Pune facility.

In September 2025, the GE Aerospace Foundation partnered with United Way to launch the Next Engineers programme in Bengaluru. This is a four-year initiative designed to prepare 4,000 young students for college and engineering careers. The programme reflects the company’s focus on building a skilled workforce for the future.

Apart from powering the Tejas aircraft, GE Aerospace engines are widely used across India’s defence forces. These engines are installed in the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and MH60R helicopters. They are also used in the Indian Air Force’s AH-64 Apache helicopters. Additionally, LM2500 marine gas turbines supplied by the company power major naval assets, including the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and the P-17 Shivalik-class frigates.

GE Aerospace has been associated with India’s aviation sector for over 40 years. Currently, around 1,400 GE and partner engines are in operation across the country, supporting both defence and commercial aviation. The company also has a strong manufacturing and research presence in India.

Its Pune manufacturing facility, along with 13 local partners, forms an important part of its global supply chain. Meanwhile, its India Technology Centre in Bengaluru, which has been operational for 25 years, focuses on developing advanced aviation technologies. Engineers and researchers are working on next-generation solutions for the aviation industry.

Globally, GE Aerospace is a major player in aerospace propulsion, services, and systems. It has an installed base of approximately 50,000 commercial and 30,000 military aircraft engines. With a workforce of around 57,000 employees, the company continues to focus on innovation and safety in aviation.

The new depot facility is expected to enhance operational readiness for the Indian Air Force while supporting India’s push towards defence self-reliance. It also reinforces the growing collaboration between global aerospace companies and India’s defence sector.