Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has achieved a significant milestone by delivering the first AL-31FP turbofan engine to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at its Koraput facility in Odisha. This delivery is the first of 240 engines contracted by the IAF to power its fleet of Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.
The contract, valued at over ₹26,000 crore (approximately $3.1 billion USD), was signed just weeks ago on September 9th, 2024. This rapid delivery underscores HAL's growing capabilities in aero-engine manufacturing.
Secretary of Defence Production, Sanjeev Kumar, commended HAL for this achievement, stating, "This key milestone reflects HAL's aero engine manufacturing competency and dedication to support the Su-30MKI fleet of IAF. It is very heartening to see that Koraput Division has mastered cutting edge technologies of aero engine manufacturing and has set up required infrastructure to match with the global OEMs."
HAL Chairman and Managing Director, D K Sunil, emphasized the initiative's commitment to increasing indigenous content, saying, "During this entire engine manufacturing process, we aim to engage Indian industries from present level of work share from 40 per cent to more than 50 per cent in next two-three years and help in employment generation."
The AL-31FP engines are being manufactured at HAL's Koraput Division, a facility specifically established for the production of Su-30MKI engines. This division undertakes the complete manufacturing process, from raw materials to the finished engine.
The delivery of all 240 engines is expected to be completed within the next eight years. These engines are crucial for maintaining the operational readiness of the IAF's Su-30MKI fleet, which forms a critical component of India's air defence capabilities.
