HAL to Produce 240 AL-31FP Engines for India's Su-30MKI Fleet

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to secure a significant order for manufacturing 240 AL-31FP jet engines, significantly enhancing India's self-reliance in the defence sector.

These powerful engines will propel the Indian Air Force's (IAF) fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets, which serve as a crucial element of the nation's air defence capabilities.

This substantial order follows HAL's recent success in securing a contract for 80 RD-33 engines designed for the upgraded MiG-29UPG fighter jets.

The new AL-31FP engines will play a vital role in replacing existing engines on over 110 Su-30MKI jets that have reached the end of their operational lifespan.

Importantly, these replacement engines will feature a higher level of indigenization than their predecessors, marking a major milestone towards India's objective of achieving self-sufficiency in defence equipment production.

While the exact role of these engines in the upcoming Su-30MKI UPG program is not yet fully defined, they are anticipated to be an essential component in modernizing the IAF's fighter jet fleet.

The 84 upgraded "Super-30s" slated for the UPG program are likely to utilize these domestically manufactured engines, contributing to India's enhanced airpower capabilities.

This move by HAL underscores India's dedication to bolstering its domestic defence manufacturing industry, reducing reliance on foreign imports and solidifying the foundation for a truly self-reliant defence sector.

The development and production of advanced jet engines like the AL-31FP mark a testament to India's advancing technological prowess and its determination to become a key player in the global defence industry.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

What is the percentage of indigenization achieved so far for these engines?

 

[sanket]

Instead IAF should think about AL-41F Engine give higher Thrust .Mig-29 was latey going to replace Latest RD-33 Engine with higher Thrust

 

[Sea Harrier]

What is the percentage of indigenization achieved so far for these engines?

Around 50% so far as of now. !!!

 

[Sea Harrier]

Instead IAF should think about AL-41F Engine give higher Thrust .Mig-29 was latey going to replace Latest RD-33 Engine with higher Thrust

This deal didn't materialize because Russians asked too heavy prize for it. AL-41 Is just an upgraded AL-31, THAT'S IT.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Around 50% so far as of now. !!!

this is decent for a license built engine. Other countries which license build engines achieve how much indigenisation? The deal for GE414 is for 80% indigenisation, i think.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Instead IAF should think about AL-41F Engine give higher Thrust .Mig-29 was latey going to replace Latest RD-33 Engine with higher Thrust

i think little bit higher thrust is not that important. Reliability, lifetime, maintenance cost, availability of spare parts is more important.

For fighter jet, stuff like avionics, weapon systems etc is more important than little higher thrust.

 

[SURESH RAO]

Even if each engine production cost is $5 million. Total cost would be 240 x 5 million$. That is almost $ 1.2 billion

 

[Pink Panther]

why only 240 engines, we have 270 SU-30’s and it is a twin engine aircraft, shouldn’t we need 270x3 # of engines to also have spares.

 

[Pink Panther]

this is decent for a license built engine. Other countries which license build engines achieve how much indigenisation? The deal for GE414 is for 80% indigenisation, i think.

yes if we get them, anything can happen to that in the coming months and somehow selection of MRFA is also attached to that.

 

[Rajsn]

HAL always aims for lower options.
So in few years it can waste more money to buy newer Engines.
Always a Scammer .

 

[Rajsn]

What is the percentage of indigenization achieved so far for these engines?

You think they will give an Honest answer

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

yes if we get them, anything can happen to that in the coming months and somehow selection of MRFA is also attached to that.

No, this engine thing is a done deal. MRFA is not attached to this. America is a superpower. Lol, it does not play silly games like reneging on a deal if you dont by its jets. This deal was made at highest levels during PMs visit to america

 

[NSR]

If 110 older SU-30MKI engines reached end of life, then how many Mirage-2000 reached end of life?
India started acquiring them at the same time.

Perhaps, IAF put Mirage-2000s in hangars and doing spit and shine, garlanding, and doing daily poojas.
The $45 to 60 millions per fighter upgrade without an AESA radar, and above all a new engine is by far the worst kind of upgrade in Indian history.
Reason, Mirage-2000UPG can't even go to a fight on its own, It needs big boys SU-30MKIs or Rafale shotguns to survive.
And then why did they upgrade? for ground attack???

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

why only 240 engines, we have 270 SU-30’s and it is a twin engine aircraft, shouldn’t we need 270x3 # of engines to also have spares.

these engines are for replacing the older Su-30'sengines. And we must already have spares. This is future planning. Also, the older sukhois will face retirement in 10-12 years.

 

[Pink Panther]

these engines are for replacing the older Su-30'sengines. And we must already have spares. This is future planning. Also, the older sukhois will face retirement in 10-12 years.

Then all 270x2 engines are older, S-30’s were never upgraded since bought.

 

[Prashu Sam]

Time to buy additional 64 Rafale and end this drama. It is too much rick to depend on HAL for it.

Although it is imported, No choice. All the alternatives except Tejas are simply time /money consuming projects with little ROI.

Similar price you can pay for latest Rafale F5 Variant.

 

[Sandeep]

In making this deal HAL should receive a higher amount of technology transfer and local production as this will be a very expensive deal. India should take full advantage of this deal and get the maximum amount of technology we can get for the cheapest price possible as Russia needs the money and these engines aren't the latest technology that Russia has developed so it won't loose much knowledge.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Then all 270x2 engines are older, S-30’s were never upgraded since bought.

They are older in terms if design, but not in terms of serviceability. Extra engines are built and put in storage

 

[Bobby Singh]

What is the percentage of indigenization achieved so far for these engines?

More then 70%