HAL to Build RD-33 Engines for MiG-29s, Prioritizes Indigenization of Critical Engine Components

In a significant boost to India's defense capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has secured a vital deal for its fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the country's aerospace giant, will supply domestically manufactured RD-33 aero engines for these aircraft, furthering India's drive toward self-reliance in defense technology.

HAL's RD-33 engines are specifically designed to extend the operational lifespan of the IAF's MiG-29 fleet, ensuring their peak performance throughout their remaining service life.

This contract marks a major milestone in India's journey towards greater autonomy in fighter jet engine technology.

HAL will manufacture the RD-33 engines under a Transfer of Technology (TOT) license obtained from the original Russian equipment manufacturer (OEM).

This transfer of knowledge will equip HAL with the necessary expertise to produce these engines domestically.

A key focus of the manufacturing process will be the indigenization of critical engine components. This emphasis on domestic production will reduce India's reliance on foreign suppliers, while also creating a strong domestic supply chain for future maintenance and overhaul (ROH) of RD-33 engines.

The IAF's decision to procure HAL-built RD-33 engines is a strategic move that directly bolsters India's air defense capabilities. Additionally, it's a testament to the nation's growing proficiency and self-sufficiency in the aviation sector.

 

[sanket]

Mirage-2000 upgrade was very costly and Not contemporary . current situation Not even PESA Radar and Latest weapons atleast BVR with 100 plus kM range .Dassault even not allowing Meteor Missile Integration . Mig-29 May carry Astra Series , Rudram Series and Even Brahmos NG too .

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

We have around 101 Mig-29s in our inventory.
67 with IAF and 44 with Indian Navy (as per Wikipedia).

Making the engines indigenously would help ensure continued supply of engines for some time to come.

 

[Pink Panther]

Can HAL make a new engine like this.

 

[Rajesh]

Can HAL make a new engine like this.

Similar to ws13.could be made but Indian forces wants engines to be reliable and fuel efficient like western engines.

 

[NSR]

India needs to produce these engines at least until 2035 to keep all of its Mig-29UPGs and Mig-29Ks flying safely.
Russia is producing RD-33MK+ fighter engine with best MTBFailures and MTBServicing so India needs to adapt these technological improvements into its RD-33 engines.

I wonder why India failed to translate any of its learning and manufacturing of RD-33 and AL-31F engines to Kaveri fighter engines to produce a viable HOT CORE?
I think workforce is the key issue in fighter engine development.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

We have around 101 Mig-29s in our inventory.
67 with IAF and 44 with Indian Navy (as per Wikipedia).

Making the engines indigenously would help ensure continued supply of engines for some time to come.

Also, russia cant be trusted to supply engines for forseeable future since it is fighting war

 

[Rajesh]

A100 percent indigenised rd33md should be made simultaneously which is not that of a herculean task considering progress in Kaveri. China calls theirs ws13. This engine should be tested with kaveri even if we don't use it as a backup for ge404.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Mirage-2000 upgrade was very costly and Not contemporary . current situation Not even PESA Radar and Latest weapons atleast BVR with 100 plus kM range .Dassault even not allowing Meteor Missile Integration . Mig-29 May carry Astra Series , Rudram Series and Even Brahmos NG too .

Mjrage 2000 is very old fighter. Meteor is lagest tech. I dont think it was even possible. France has many mirage 2000 in service. Do the older french models use meteor?

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Can HAL make a new engine like this.

It is not new engine. But HAL does have some engine making expertise.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Its very shameful that even after all decades of engine manufacturing efforts and so called TOTs we aren't able to make an old RD33 engine by ourselves.

 

[Sudha]

This article only confirms Russia didn't give 100% TOT & HAL assembled (what's new) the engines in Bharat.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Hal people always saying manufacturing. But this not true they getting critical components from Russia for both rd33 and alf31. Then assembling them with some here made components. That is true. So they incapable in manufacturing new engine.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Only deep servicing the engine benefit they getting. For f414 also.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

So drdo hal etc try get tech from Safran in the name of jv.

 

[RG]

India should use the acquired tech so far and work to improve the engines using all that they can muster, specially the private talent with incentives to improve and come up with domestic version, that are reliable and available, could be built in large numbers. Conceptual products around it, rather than just chasing goal post continuously changed by enemy.

 

[RG]

Indian planners should have engaged Indian industry and academia to push to improvement of acquired technology, create product to use those tech, rather than just blindly follow others. be creative in terms of technology and product development. there is always use for the proven and available platform, do not put all eggs in the cutting edge market, on one end future development can nullify advantage and it is not economically feasible.

 

[Pad UwU]

Also, russia cant be trusted to supply engines for forseeable future since it is fighting war

But the fact they granted engine ToT's license manufacturing is that they reliable in some ways unlike the other fanboys we know are saying😹😹😹....
Even though they can't give us help for a moment