In a significant push for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth over Rs 26,000 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 240 AL-31FP aero engines for Su-30MKI aircraft. The contract was signed by senior officials from MoD and HAL in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, in New Delhi.
The engines, crucial for sustaining the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s Su-30 fleet, will be manufactured at HAL’s Koraput Division. HAL is expected to deliver 30 engines annually, with the entire supply of 240 engines scheduled for completion over the next eight years.
HAL aims to enhance the indigenous content of the engines, starting with 54% and increasing to 63% by the end of the delivery period. This move will strengthen India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem by involving MSMEs and both public and private industries in the production and repair of the engines.
The contract marks a significant step in improving India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and ensuring the readiness of its air fleet for future defence preparedness.
