Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have agreed to finalise a new 10-year defence framework to deepen bilateral strategic and defence cooperation. The agreement, discussed during a recent phone call, is aimed at strengthening long-term industrial partnerships and addressing key pending defence deals.

The Pentagon, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “Secretary Hegseth and Minister Singh agreed to sign the next 10-year US-India Defence Framework when they next meet this year.” The leaders also reviewed “considerable progress” made under the 2025 joint statement by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PTI reported.

Also Read:Defence stocks in focus: HAL, BEL, and BDL see mixed trading amid India-US 10-Year strategic defence agreement reports 

Pending US defence sales and GE engine delays 

The Pentagon said both sides discussed major defence sales to India, stressing the need for tighter industrial cooperation. “Secretary Hegseth emphasised the priority the United States places on India as its key defence partner in South Asia,” the statement said.

In a key development, Singh urged his counterpart to expedite delivery of GE F404 engines crucial for powering the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft  and pushed for early finalisation of a proposed HAL-GE deal for joint production of F414 engines in India, according to people familiar with the matter.

Also Read:HAL shares drop nearly 2% despite positive Tejas jet delivery update  

HAL blames Tejas delay on GE

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was earlier promised at least six Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets by March 2026. But the timeline has slipped due to delays in engine deliveries by GE Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) CMD C B Ananthakrishnan said.

“Every company goes through its fair share of criticisms. It does happen. Unfortunately, in the case of LCA Mark 1A, we have built the aircraft. As of today, we have six aircraft lined up,” he told PTI. “But the engine deliveries have not happened from GE Aerospace. They were to deliver the engines in 2023. Till date, we have got only one engine.”

HAL pins hopes on fresh engine batch by March 2026

Ananthakrishnan said technical bottlenecks at GE which included Covid-era backlogs and a senior-level talent crunch had stalled engine production. He confirmed, however, that 12 engines are now expected to arrive in the current fiscal year.

“I can assure you that as of today, six aircraft are ready. There is no let up from our side. We are building those aircraft and getting them ready and we will be in a position to deliver (by this fiscal),” he said. If the deliveries continue smoothly, HAL plans to produce up to 16 jets next year.

IAF awaits LCA Mk-1A fleet boost 

The Tejas Mk-1A will replace the IAF’s ageing MiG-21s and help offset its falling squadron strength, currently at 31 against the sanctioned 42. In 2021, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, and is now looking to procure 97 more at an estimated cost of Rs 67,000 crore.

Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role fighter designed for air defence, maritime patrol, and ground strike missions. Its swift induction is now dependent on how soon GE Aerospace can ramp up its engine deliveries under the evolving India-US defence roadmap.