India’s Tejas Mk1A program has received a significant boost with General Electric resuming the supply of F-404 engines, enabling the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish a domestic Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. This initiative aims to enhance fleet availability by reducing reliance on foreign service centers and facilitating faster engine maintenance. India is set to place orders for 113 additional F-404 engines, following previous contracts, which will elevate the total Tejas fleet to over 180 units, positioning India as Asia’s leading operator of the F-404. This development is a crucial step in India’s defense indigenization strategy, promoting operational independence and long-term sustainability of the Tejas program while bolstering local private sector involvement in defense capabilities.