Why India Sticks With Modernized AL-31FP Engine Over AL-41F-1S for Su-30MKI Upgrade, Despite Latter Having Better Performance

In a move that has raised some eyebrows in the international defence community, India has opted to stick with modernized AL-31FP engines for its Su-30MKI "Super-30" upgrade program, despite Russia's state-owned arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, advocating for the superior AL-41F-1S engine.

While the AL-41F-1S, also known as the article 117S, boasts an 18% increase in thrust generation, improved fuel efficiency, and seamless compatibility with the Su-30MKI airframe, India's decision-makers have cited cost considerations, technology transfer opportunities, and the existing logistical and maintenance infrastructure supporting the AL-31FP as key factors in their choice.

The AL-31FP, though less powerful than its successor, has proven its reliability and effectiveness over the years, meeting the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Moreover, India's plan to manufacture 240 AL-31FP engines domestically underscores the country's emphasis on self-reliance in defence production.

The decision also highlights India's pragmatic approach to defence procurement in a complex geopolitical landscape.

While the AL-41F-1S undoubtedly offers superior performance, the transition would necessitate substantial investments in upgrades and training, a burden India seems unwilling to bear under current budget constraints.

Despite Russia's disappointment with India's decision, the move reflects a carefully calculated balance between performance enhancement and fiscal prudence.

The modernized AL-31FP engines, with their upgraded FADEC-type digital control system, offer a significant improvement over the existing powerplants, ensuring that India's Su-30MKI fleet remains a formidable force in the region.

As India continues to strengthen its defence capabilities, the AL-31FP engine upgrade represents a strategic choice that prioritizes stability, reliability, and self-reliance.

 

[R. Singh]

We should make additional 126+ Super Su-30MKI powered by AL-41 engines and change present AL-31 engines but seek 80% TOT for AL-41 engines ! Upgraded engines will make Super SU-30MKI even superior to SU-35 !

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Time to indiginize AL31FP and increase MTBO.

 

[sanket]

Yeah AL-41 f-1s Sould b consider while upgrading Super sukhoi.Future weapons carrying specially higher payload weapons

 

[Instant Karma]

Very good offer from the Russian. We must buy it immediately.

 

[NSR]

Russia has been touting its AL-41F-1S for a long time but IAF chose AL-31FP to keep the present Manfacturing knowledge and possibly more indigenization.

Right now local manufacturing is at 54% and is very poor. Remember GE F-414INS6 is getting 80% TOT and local manufacturing.

I think India will face problems with AL-31FP as Russia will not be working on it anymore.
For every problem resolution, India has to pay exorbitant amounts to get the issues fixed.

AL-41F-1S would be the best for all SU-30MKis upgrades to Super Sukhois.

 

[Akshat]

Very good offer from the Russian. We must buy it immediately.

No thanks

 

[Instant Karma]

No thanks

Why?. Your master America is not giving us any engine technology and same is the case with French and England. That leaves us with the option of only Russian.

 

[swatkats_razor]

Engines were always the Achilles heels of Russian aircraft technology. Mainly their efficiency and reliability have stayed at least 10 years behind the west.

If this were a technology transfer deal, we should have been all over it. As us being a zero, anything by Russians would have been a net positive. But alas, AL-41 woujd be another off the shelf sale at best. So, no point putting good money into an obsolete product.

Rather invest into private players such as Kirloskar, PBS India, Godrej & Boyce etc. who have the wherewithal to design a turbojet successfully.

 

[Avada kedavra]

Russia has been touting its AL-41F-1S for a long time but IAF chose AL-31FP to keep the present Manfacturing knowledge and possibly more indigenization.

Right now local manufacturing is at 54% and is very poor. Remember GE F-414INS6 is getting 80% TOT and local manufacturing.

I think India will face problems with AL-31FP as Russia will not be working on it anymore.
For every problem resolution, India has to pay exorbitant amounts to get the issues fixed.

AL-41F-1S would be the best for all SU-30MKis upgrades to Super Sukhois.

One article said the 80% ToT excludes the crystal blades.
Which is the main engineering hurdle majority of countries including india are still not able to overcome.
I knew it from the beginning this tech wont be there. No 1, not even russians and french r ready to share this technoloyy.

and as for not buying al 41 i can guess sanctions r playing a big role. One unnamed official already said. N o more big arms deals with russia.

 

[Rajesh]

There is power increase and performance increase to the old al31 so a case worth considering but these engines still are far behind the west and may be better than chinese so either russia sell the engine with complete tot or we stick to our usual way . Even Russian will move to al51 when they r ready so a point india can negotiate for tot and work on it . We can't have noting and stay without anything all these idiots in the govt is doing is wasting time ,neither indigenous engine nor from west or russia & any one can destabilize our airforce like a similar case is happening with our mk1a by ge 404 engines sabotage.

 

[Kira]

It would have been a worthy upgrade if not for the small issue of sanctions and the fact that installing a new powerplant would entail significant costs & time delays that IAF rightly recognises that it can't afford.
Besides,today the main issue for the IAF is availability rates for the MKI fleet,so having an older engine that has been largely domesticated and is less dependent on Russian supplies is the way to go.

 

[Anonymus]

No thanks

then what's the point of upgrade when your power source is outdated??

 

[Sandeep]

While the engine is more powerful the problem is the cost, amount of ToT they give and amount of local manufacturing they allow.

It’s much better to use the modernised AL-31 with FADEC instead and continue to make changes to some of the parts and components and improve the performance. This will improve the engine performance, capability and maintenance. We have already developed an entire ecosystem in manufacturing these engines, parts and technology along with the maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities so buying a brand new modern engine wouldn’t make that.

 

[Sunny]

While our decision to continue with AL-31 is understable, we risk facing spares issue if we do not completly indigise the engine. The AL-41 should be considered only if we get complete TOT, which seems unlikely though.

 

[sunilanalysis]

31 or 41 matters little now. how good are onboard EW jamming pods, missiles, radars,etc matters more...
AL41s are not giving any edge to russia in ukraine war...

 

[Mango_Indian]

HAL AMCA is not coming into production the next 12 ~15 years. Indian Air Force will have a black hole in terms of 5th gen aircraft while our eat-anything-that-moves and wak-thoo-hakbar neighbors will get 5th gen aircraft.

Russia is in a deep hole and desperate. Order 4-5 squadrons of SU-57 as fully imported aircraft, get a great financial deal, get a matured aircraft compared to what it was in 2014 with new engines and most importantly - get some technical help from Russia on AMCA. In short adopt the nuclear submarine path of India which enabled us to make comparable nuclear submarines without having made a single diesel submarine.

wake up from MMRCA saga.

 

[The Dark Knight]

Russia has been touting its AL-41F-1S for a long time but IAF chose AL-31FP to keep the present Manfacturing knowledge and possibly more indigenization.

Right now local manufacturing is at 54% and is very poor. Remember GE F-414INS6 is getting 80% TOT and local manufacturing.

I think India will face problems with AL-31FP as Russia will not be working on it anymore.
For every problem resolution, India has to pay exorbitant amounts to get the issues fixed.

AL-41F-1S would be the best for all SU-30MKis upgrades to Super Sukhois.

If we have to screwdrive then AL41 is best as AL31 will stop sooner or later. If we have build the Russian engine with TOT the. AL31 is best bet,even when it's outdated.

 

[Akshay]

It's time to increase the percentage of local indigenised AL-31FP rather buying off the shelf AL-41FS-1S.

 

[Man-ju]

There shouldn't me much problem for India to import 5-6 of these engines and Integrate them with Su30MKI and see whether there is any significant improvement or not.