HAL Chief Explores Russian Engine Options for Tejas Mk1A Amid F-404 Delays: Russian Media

According to a report by Sputnik India, Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is currently in Russia to explore engine manufacturing options for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet and future Indian aircraft. This visit comes as HAL faces delays in the delivery of F-404 engines from GE Aerospace, which power the Tejas Mk1A.

While these delays have prompted HAL to explore alternatives, sources suggest that a complete engine switch for the Tejas Mk1A is unlikely at this stage due to the extensive testing and validation required for integrating a new engine. This could potentially delay the program by 3-4 years.

Russia has a long history of defence cooperation with India, including successful collaborations like the Su-30MKI fighter jet. HAL's discussions with Russian counterparts likely focus on co-development and potential local production of engines, possibly including the AL-31F, which powers the Su-30MKI. This could involve incorporating Indian-made components and increasing self-reliance in engine manufacturing.

The delays in F-404 engine deliveries from GE Aerospace, attributed to global supply chain disruptions, have impacted the production timeline of the 83 Tejas Mk1A jets ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF). This situation highlights the risks associated with relying heavily on imported components for critical defence programs.

The Tejas Mk1A program is already operating on a tight schedule, aiming to deliver the first aircraft to the IAF by 2025. Any engine change at this stage would likely jeopardize this timeline.

While a complete engine switch for the Tejas Mk1A seems improbable at this point, HAL's exploration of Russian engine options underscores the importance of diversifying supply chains and fostering self-reliance in defense technology.

 

[AK S]

IAF has no say in this. MOD and HAL promised mk1A with Kaveri. Once Kaveri failed GOI, HAL ran to GE for engines and that too knowing they were not in production anymore. Why blame IAF?

Please fact-check. Tejas always flew on F404 including its first flight. Kaveri was critically underfunded … maybe an order of ten. Even that stopped way back in 2007-08. Even with those levels of funding and no industrial base, it produces 73KN of flat rated thrust. Not good enough for sure. Certified only for limited envelope flight. Fairly overweight … even in current iteration and progresses in materials, need to she’d another 200kgs. Certainly not a report card that you present on their behalf and want others to believe.

And current focus is to certify the existing core on an LSP add in parallel add new afterburner to the improved dry core. Though it’s still seriously underfunded and we continue to pay the price.

Dry core of 2.0 is nearly producing flat rated 51KN and shed about 225 kgs. Work is on for new afterburner at Brahmos. With decent level of ToT in F414 and its local manufacturing, our expertise will grow and should be able to shed another 200 odd kgs while improving the efficiency of the afterburner.

Let’s see.

 

[Sandeep]

India isn’t going to use any Russian engines for Tejas MK1A as it would delay the timeline even further. HAL just has to keep production going and install the engines as soon as possible.

Also they should start producing the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototypes as those two jets are the main important fighters which we can use on offensive missions.

 

[DEVESH]

That is impossible given the changes in thrust and center of gracity of the engine and and the redoing the whole engine bay.

May be its just to put pressure on Americans

 

[bonito]

If GE Transport can arm twist India to buy 1000 GE locomotive Diesel engines while we said we will go for Electric ones, this delay to force us to disengage from Russia is nothing

 

[Muthu.Kumar]

Oh my goodness... Even a pathetic and hopeless management knows for a fact to have a plan B in place anticipating unexpected, in such a volatile global scenario, for such a high-tech project.

And HAL is exploring a Plan B in the middle of the project.

REALLY ? SERIOUSLY ???

 

[Rajesh]

The AL-31FN engine should be sought with full TOT. Russia's traditional market for engines is China and then India, but China has come a long way compared to Russia and will rely on its indigenous engines. India has western options, so maybe only Su-30 engines and, to a limit, MiG-29 engines. Once they are gone, that market is also gone for Russia. Good for both if we reach a deal for the AL-31FN engine and work our AMCA and MK2 on it (since both are just on paper, it won't be that much of a deal to jack the MTOW) and then bargain with the West for a similar engine. We will have AL-31FN till then, unlike what we are facing with regards to GE404.

 

[AlamBarbil]

Why not partner with Elon Musk spaceX they are masters in rocket tech surely he will jump for the same.

 

[BhVSRao]

Oh my goodness... Even a pathetic and hopeless management knows for a fact to have a plan B in place anticipating unexpected, in such a volatile global scenario, for such a high-tech project.

And HAL is exploring a Plan B in the middle of the project.

REALLY ? SERIOUSLY ???

The AL-31FN engine should be sought with full TOT. Russia's traditional market for engines is China and then India, but China has come a long way compared to Russia and will rely on its indigenous engines. India has western options, so maybe only Su-30 engines and, to a limit, MiG-29 engines. Once they are gone, that market is also gone for Russia. Good for both if we reach a deal for the AL-31FN engine and work our AMCA and MK2 on it (since both are just on paper, it won't be that much of a deal to jack the MTOW) and then bargain with the West for a similar engine. We will have AL-31FN till then, unlike what we are facing with regards to GE404.

I strongly feel the new platforms should be developed with two engine options as the the engine manufacturer can put brakes on the production programme as we are witnessing now with F-404. The engines cannot be replaced midway of a programme as it is as good as designing a new platform. The choice should one engine from and the other should be from Russia. It is also important that the engine TOT should be mandatory. It is also important we obtain ToT for the engine accessories and Line replaceable units apart from core engine.