Russia Pitches AL-41 Engine for India's Su-30MKI Fleet, Replacing Older AL-31 Engine to Give Su-57 Jet Like Stealth Capabilities

At Aero India 2025, Russia made a significant proposal to India, offering the advanced AL-41 engine that powers its Sukhoi-57 stealth fighter for the upgrade of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI fleet. This potential upgrade could substantially enhance the performance of the IAF's largest fighter jet fleet, bringing it closer to fifth-generation capabilities.

The Su-30MKI currently utilizes the AL-31 engine, known for its reliability and performance. However, the AL-41 engine, designed for the Su-57, represents a considerable advancement in power, thrust, and efficiency. With an improved thrust-to-weight ratio, better fuel efficiency, and enhanced maneuverability, the AL-41 is a compelling upgrade for the Su-30MKI, a mainstay of the IAF for over two decades.

Vadim Badekha, CEO of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), confirmed this offer at Aero India 2025, stating, "We are offering the new AL-41 engine as part of the Sukhoi-30 upgrade to India." This offer underscores Russia's commitment to strengthening India's air combat capabilities by providing access to cutting-edge engine technology.

The IAF operates 272 Su-30MKI jets, its largest fleet of any single aircraft type. These aircraft play a crucial role in India's air defence strategy, fulfilling diverse roles from air superiority to ground attack. The Su-30MKI's versatility and advanced avionics have established it as one of the IAF's most potent fighter jets.

As the IAF modernizes its fleet and strives to maintain a technological edge, upgrading the Su-30MKI fleet with the AL-41 engine offers a significant opportunity to bolster its capabilities. This upgrade could substantially improve the fighter's speed, agility, and overall mission effectiveness.

Designed for high-performance aircraft like the Su-57, the AL-41 engine offers several advantages:

• Improved Thrust: The AL-41's superior thrust-to-weight ratio would enhance the Su-30MKI's performance in air combat, particularly during high-speed maneuvers and at higher altitudes.
• Enhanced Fuel Efficiency: Increased fuel efficiency translates to extended range and operational endurance, crucial factors in modern aerial warfare.
• Increased Reliability: The AL-41 is built for demanding conditions, making it a durable choice for the Su-30MKI's diverse operational environments.
• Fifth-Generation Capabilities: Integrating the AL-41 would provide the Su-30MKI with some of the performance enhancements found in the Su-57, bringing India's air power closer to fifth-generation standards.

This potential upgrade reflects the ongoing evolution of India's defence capabilities and its pursuit of advanced technologies to maintain a strong air force in a dynamic geopolitical landscape.

 

[siva saba]

We don't need the AL-41F-1S for the existing fleet even though it has a dry thrust of 85kN compared to 76kN of the AL-31FP. Reasons are below:

The major reason behind India sticking with the AL-31FP engines for its Su-30MKI is the current infrastructure and logistics established around this engine. India already has extensive experience in maintaining the AL-31FP, with spare parts readily available, trained personnel, and established repair facilities.

Switching to the AL-41F-1S would demand significant investment to upgrade the existing infrastructure and additional costs for training and maintenance. Given the budget constraints, making the switch to a newer engine isn't financially attractive.

Moreover, the AL-31FP engine has already proven its reliability within the Indian Air Force. While the AL-41F-1S might boast superior technical performance, the current engine meets India's operational needs, delivering ample power and efficiency for ongoing missions. Understandably, India might favor the stability and predictability of an established engine over the risks and costs associated with integrating new technology—especially if the AL-41F-1S's enhancements aren't essential for current requirements.

 

[Hita Techi]

Sorry Putin, we are not falling for it. The AL-31 was included in the Su-30 deal in the beginning. Russia was nearly bankrupt at that time and gave us a good deal with the TOT to an extent for the engine. Many years have passed, we know the engine thoroughly. We still import the crucial hot section of the engine from Russia. We make around 50-60% of the engine, that's all. Though the bait of better performance, better fuel efficiency are dangled, it's prudent to stay with the old engine. Today's air warfare is more to do with netcentric, EW, data links, data fusion, AI decision-making for the pilot, situational awareness, etc.

All that requires power, all your electronics and more powerful radars need power, the engines need to generate power for these as well as propel the plane without compromising the performance; that is why upgraded planes go for new engines with more thrust and fuel efficiency.

 

[Ammoman]

Replacing the engines will be very expensive and the better performance and fuel efficiency rate will be minimal to try and justify such a high cost.

Also we definitely won’t get 100% of the technology or get to manufacture most of it in India by using Indian raw materials rather than having to import the materials from Russia like the current engines. This increases the overall cost rather than just importing it directly which will be much cheaper. Also we already have a large work force that’s qualified in the aerospace industry and with experience, knowledge, engineering, metallurgy etc.

By now we have already started and developed an entire eco system with Indian supply chains and material providers for the AL31 engine so switching to the AL41 will require us to start a brand new eco system which takes time and money.

If we have all that, then why can't we build a world class engine?

 

[Ammoman]

Replacing the engines will be very expensive and the better performance and fuel efficiency rate will be minimal to try and justify such a high cost.

Also we definitely won’t get 100% of the technology or get to manufacture most of it in India by using Indian raw materials rather than having to import the materials from Russia like the current engines. This increases the overall cost rather than just importing it directly which will be much cheaper. Also we already have a large work force that’s qualified in the aerospace industry and with experience, knowledge, engineering, metallurgy etc.

By now we have already started and developed an entire eco system with Indian supply chains and material providers for the AL31 engine so switching to the AL41 will require us to start a brand new eco system which takes time and money.

It has a 6,000 hour service life. The old engine is less than 2,000. How many times will we have to replace the engine before the Su-30 is taken out of service in 2050.