Defence ministry announced a contract valued at ₹26,000 crore with Bengaluru’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 240 aero-engines to be used in the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets.
HAL’s Koraput plant in Odisha will provide 30 AL-31FP engines for a period of eight years, resulting in a total delivery of the same number of engines.
According to a statement from the defense ministry, the newly acquired aero-engines will meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force and maintain the operational readiness of the Su-30 fleet in support of national defense. The procurement was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on September 2nd.
The IAF currently has 260 Su-30s in its fleet and is expecting to receive an additional 12 fighters to replace those lost in accidents.
According to the ministry, the engines will undergo production in Koraput utilizing raw materials and technology from Russia. While some components such as spares, forgings, and castings may be imported, the majority of the engine’s content is expected to be homemade. Upon completion of delivery, the engines will consist of up to 63% domestically sourced material.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh expressed that X marks a significant milestone in our Make in India campaign. The initiative will bolster aero-engine manufacturing in the country and further propel our goal of Aatmanirbharta.
The Koraput division has successfully produced and delivered 113 AL-31FP engines to the IAF. According to HAL’s estimation, approximately 900 engines will be required by the air force throughout the lifespan of their Su-30 fleet.
HAL will also be upgrading IAF’s Su-30s for approximately ₹65,000 crore. This comprehensive upgrade will include installing the indigenous Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, electronic warfare suites, weapon control systems, avionics and new weapons onto the fighters.
The State-run firm receives the engine order amidst various challenges, including a delay in the Tejas LCA Mk-1A programme, efforts to establish a joint production deal for jet engines within the country, and expectations for contracts worth tens of thousands of crores for additional fighter planes and helicopters.
HAL is in talks with US company GE Aerospace for a partnership to manufacture F414 engines in India. In June 2023, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington to produce 99 F414 engines for India’s upcoming LCA Mk-2 program. This collaboration will not only bridge technological gaps for the country, but also pave the way for domestic production of larger jet engines and potentially enable export opportunities.
On August 30, HAL entered a contract with SAFHAL Helicopter Engines to collaborate on the design, development, and production of Aravalli, an engine specifically for the upcoming 13-tonne Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) and its deck-based variation. SAFHAL is a combined effort between French company Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL.
The new engines could enable the helicopters to enter production by 2031.
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