IAF to Boost Su-30MKI Fleet with 240 New Engines from HAL

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to strengthen its fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets with a major agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 240 AL-31F jet engines. This strategic move aims to enhance the operational capability and longevity of the IAF's frontline fighter aircraft.

The Su-30MKI, a twin-engine, multirole air superiority fighter, forms the backbone of the IAF's combat fleet. The procurement of new engines is essential to maintain the fleet's combat readiness and ensure its continued dominance in the skies.

Approximately 120 Su-30MKI jets are slated to receive these new engines, as their existing powerplants have reached the end of their designated operational life. This replacement is crucial for maintaining high sortie rates and maximizing the availability of these critical assets for various missions.

The agreement with HAL marks a significant step towards bolstering the IAF's operational capabilities. By equipping the Su-30MKI fleet with fresh engines, the IAF can ensure optimal performance, reliability, and safety for its pilots. The new engines are also expected to reduce maintenance requirements and downtime, allowing for more frequent and sustained operations.

While this deal addresses the immediate need for engine replacements, the IAF plans to reassess its engine procurement strategy in August. This review will likely explore options for further upgrades and enhancements to the Su-30MKI fleet, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of modern air combat capabilities.

 

[Aloo]

If money is to be spent then do it wisely. Russia is a fatichar economy, replaced by France in defence exports. We can hard bargain with them for AL41 tech (not full but greater than al31) like China did from 1991-1994.

It will be much more expensive but worth the cost, dry engine can even be used to make a bomber if we plan. But successful bargain is not guaranteed, who knows we tried but failed.

 

[RG]

Hope Sukhoi engine is refined with the knowledge acquired through various research domestic research, this is an opportunity to add to the knowledge base. May be even increase the power

 

[Samridhi Shukla]

If money is to be spent then do it wisely. Russia is a fatichar economy, replaced by France in defence exports. We can hard bargain with them for AL41 tech (not full but greater than al31) like China did from 1991-1994.

It will be much more expensive but worth the cost, dry engine can even be used to make a bomber if we plan. But successful bargain is not guaranteed, who knows we tried but failed.

not worth the hassel as performance of su30 is way lower then even old f16 of pakistan(as seen in previous clashes). it's worth to bet big on TejasMk2 and Rafael. any plane is as good as its missile in BVR combat. su30 is nothing more then flying elephant due to lack of capable missile compared to jf17 or f16 due to superior missile they carry. it's good to invest in engine to be able to have high availability rates as generally russian plane availability rates are less then 50% compared to 90% of rafael or 80% for tejas.

 

[Aloo]

not worth the hassel as performance of su30 is way lower then even old f16 of pakistan(as seen in previous clashes). it's worth to bet big on TejasMk2 and Rafael. any plane is as good as its missile in BVR combat. su30 is nothing more then flying elephant due to lack of capable missile compared to jf17 or f16 due to superior missile they carry. it's good to invest in engine to be able to have high availability rates as generally russian plane availability rates are less then 50% compared to 90% of rafael or 80% for tejas.

No ma'am, SU 30 completely dominates F-16 in physical performance and has better electronic capabilities which will only increase with desi upgrades.

F16 dominated due to AWACS and lack of BNET. Against AIM120C5 now we have Astra, RVV SD, will have Astra 2/3 and can buy R37M (shot down a plane 217 kn away)

50% availability rate was old, now increased. Also even Rafale at best has availability rate ranging between 70-75% (was 48% in 2016), best in the world.

Will be worth if we can get it cheap else not.

 

[Pink Panther]

As if it is HAL’s engine, let’s install izdeliye-30 in Super SU’s.

 

[Sumon Roy]

Total Fighter jets 262 but ordered only 240 engines. This is not adequate. Need (262*2) Engines not (120*2) engines.

 

[Kira]

Total Fighter jets 262 but ordered only 240 engines. This is not adequate. Need (262*2) Engines not (120*2) engines.

I believe this for replacement for the older lot of MKIs which were inducted starting in early 2000s.

 

[Avada kedavra]

can anyone tell me how much % of this engine parts will be made by HAL and how much will be imported from russia and screwdrived here?

 

[AK S]

As if it is HAL’s engine, let’s install izdeliye-30 in Super SU’s.

we have rights to modify.

 

[AK S]

can anyone tell me how much % of this engine parts will be made by HAL and how much will be imported from russia and screwdrived here?

Now they make everything from raw material. But we import the raw materials.

 

[NSR]

India has 260 functioning SU-30MKIs.
Even if take out 60 for being too old with no life left, India still needs 2*200=400 engines at a minimum.

Manufacture 400 AL-31Fs and keep them flying in ship shape.
Do not cut corners with engines as squadron strengths are declining very fast.

 

[Rajsn]

SINCE WHEN CAN HAL MANUFACTURE ENGINES??...

 

[Sandeep]

It’s good that we need to replace our engines but we should increase the amount of indigenous raw materials used, increase the amount of indigenous content and increase the amount of technology they transfer to us as we will have to make more engines in future as well.

Russia needs the money and they have already developed a better performing engine so this would be a very good time to get the best possible deal that favours India for a change. At the same time we can continue to make changes and modify it to improve its performance, longevity, number of flight hours and lifespan.

 

[Rational Guy]

SINCE WHEN CAN HAL MANUFACTURE ENGINES??...

They've been assembling since decades now

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

can anyone tell me how much % of this engine parts will be made by HAL and how much will be imported from russia and screwdrived here?

Exact figures will never get out for public but it is believed that currently only 55-60% engine is indigenous

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

not worth the hassel as performance of su30 is way lower then even old f16 of pakistan(as seen in previous clashes). it's worth to bet big on TejasMk2 and Rafael. any plane is as good as its missile in BVR combat. su30 is nothing more then flying elephant due to lack of capable missile compared to jf17 or f16 due to superior missile they carry. it's good to invest in engine to be able to have high availability rates as generally russian plane availability rates are less then 50% compared to 90% of rafael or 80% for tejas.

Rafale availability rate is 75-80% not 90% and any aircraft can't be only judged on the basis of BVR , in a couple of years it will have the most advanced radar in the IAF inventory, Astra series missiles , rudram series , brahmos series, New Avionics , Improved engines ( Al-31 still ) , stealthy paint ( currently under testing phase by DRDO LAB ) will be equipped on Su-30 MKI... & Not to forget it's the most maneuverable jet in the inventory.

It will surpass all the aircrafts of PAF in terms of technology and capability in next 5 years , only FC-31, J-20 & Su-35 will have an edge over it..

 

[Samridhi Shukla]

No ma'am, SU 30 completely dominates F-16 in physical performance and has better electronic capabilities which will only increase with desi upgrades.

F16 dominated due to AWACS and lack of BNET. Against AIM120C5 now we have Astra, RVV SD, will have Astra 2/3 and can buy R37M (shot down a plane 217 kn away)

50% availability rate was old, now increased. Also even Rafale at best has availability rate ranging between 70-75% (was 48% in 2016), best in the world.

Will be worth if we can get it cheap else not.

I agree with your suggestions for workaround to cater to performance issues and considering high cost of Rafael jets. that's why I think we should rely more on Tejas mk2 or mk1a for numbers and for quality on Rafael or AMCA. Russia is not able to provide spare parts at the moment causing risk to even support existing machines we purchased from them already for example for JF17Blk 3 Pakistan don't have any choice but to go with Chinese engine inspite of it got developed using russian engine. we are not in that bad situation considering we have a manufacturing unit for a particular type of engine already. considering number of sanctions risks and kind of support Russia can provide at the moment. its foolish for even think of any new deal with Russians.

IAF knows better then us and that's why deciding not to buy more su30 instead going for mrfa. we can think whatever can do whatever but it's apperant from iaf decision.

 

[Samridhi Shukla]

Rafale availability rate is 75-80% not 90% and any aircraft can't be only judged on the basis of BVR , in a couple of years it will have the most advanced radar in the IAF inventory, Astra series missiles , rudram series , brahmos series, New Avionics , Improved engines ( Al-31 still ) , stealthy paint ( currently under testing phase by DRDO LAB ) will be equipped on Su-30 MKI... & Not to forget it's the most maneuverable jet in the inventory.

It will surpass all the aircrafts of PAF in terms of technology and capability in next 5 years , only FC-31, J-20 & Su-35 will have an edge over it..

I agree with your suggestions for workaround in terms of missile to cater to performance issues of su30mk1 and considering high cost of Rafael jets. that's why I think we should rely more on Tejas mk2 or mk1a for numbers and for quality on Rafael or AMCA. Russia is not able to provide spare parts at the moment causing risk to even support existing machines we purchased from them already for example for JF17Blk 3 Pakistan don't have any choice but to go with Chinese engine inspite of it got developed using russian engine. we are not in that bad situation considering we have a manufacturing unit for a particular type of engine already. considering number of sanctions risks and kind of support Russia can provide at the moment. its foolish for even think of any new deal with Russians.

 

[DG]

If money is to be spent then do it wisely. Russia is a fatichar economy, replaced by France in defence exports. We can hard bargain with them for AL41 tech (not full but greater than al31) like China did from 1991-1994.

It will be much more expensive but worth the cost, dry engine can even be used to make a bomber if we plan. But successful bargain is not guaranteed, who knows we tried but failed.

We lost the initial plunders made by other countries when USSR broke up just for the same reason - hard bargain as being habituated to highly discounted defence supply. We were not sensitive to their disastrous economic conditions. Their scientists and technologists used to beg us to buy their products and resources. We missed that bus also.