Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has imposed liquidated damages on GE Aerospace for delays in supplying F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas Mk-1A, its chairman and managing director DK Sunil said.
The Indian Air Force's LCA Mk-1 fleet, grounded for nearly two months, will be cleared for flying next week after a software snag in the fighter jet's brake system was fixed.
GE Aerospace has so far delivered only six of the 99 engines ordered by HAL in 2021 for $716 million, with the US firm attributing the delays to supply chain bottlenecks.
HAL has invoked a clause in the contract that specifies liquidated damages for any supply delay, with the Indian firm expecting GE Aerospace to deliver 20 more engines by the year-end.
Deliveries of the Tejas Mk-1A will begin after trials of the ASRAAM missile and some radar software upgrades are completed, with the IAF reviewing the programme in May.
