India orders more than 200 engines for Su-30 MKI fighter fleet.

On September 2, 2024, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), a high-level branch of the government, gave the green light for the acquisition of 240 AL-31FP engines intended to equip the Indian Air Force's (IAF) fleet of Su-30 MKI fighter jets. This decision is part of a strategic effort to modernize the country's air defense capabilities while strengthening local production under the "Make in India" initiative.
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Indian Air Force Su-30 MKI multi-role combat aircraft in flight in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan on 10 January 2023 (Picture source: Local spotters)

A Strategic Order for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), one of India’s leading aerospace manufacturers and holder of the license to produce Su-30 MKI aircraft since October 2000, will be the primary supplier of the AL-31FP engines. HAL has been allocated a budget of 260 million rand (3.1 million USD) for the delivery of these engines over a period of eight years, starting in 2025. This project is in line with HAL’s ongoing efforts to support the maintenance and modernization of the IAF’s fighter jets.

The Su-30 MKI, a twin-engine aircraft known for its versatility and maneuverability, forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force. To date, HAL has produced 222 units of the Su-30 MKI at its Koraput plant in the eastern state of Odisha, while an additional 49 aircraft were acquired from the Russian Irkut Group between 1997 and 2008.

Enhanced Performance for the Su-30 MKI Fleet
The Su-30 MKI is powered by two AL-31FP turbofan engines, a high-performance propulsion system featuring thrust vectoring control. Each engine can generate an afterburner thrust of 12,500 kgf, enabling a maximum horizontal flight speed of Mach 1.9 and an impressive climb rate of 300 meters per second. The aircraft has a maximum range of 3,000 km without refueling, which can extend up to 8,000 km with two in-flight refuelings.

These engines will play a crucial role in maintaining the Su-30 MKI fleet, which has now exceeded 25 years of service. While the aircraft have undergone regular maintenance and overhauls over the years, this new procurement will allow the IAF to ensure the reliability and performance of these aircraft for years to come. It is worth noting that India is one of the few countries capable of overhauling Su-30 MKI aircraft domestically, with the first locally overhauled unit delivered in October 2018.

 "Make in India" Initiative

The production of AL-31FP engines in India represents a new milestone in the implementation of the "Make in India" initiative, an industrial policy launched by the Indian government to promote local manufacturing across various sectors, including defense. Around 54% of the engine components will be manufactured in India, in line with the objective to enhance the country’s self-reliance in critical defense technologies.

Since the introduction of the initiative, India has revised its industrial offset guidelines, raising the threshold value of projects requiring local production to 20 billion rand (approximately 238 million USD). This decision aims to stimulate the national industry and encourage technology transfers, essential for improving production and innovation capabilities in the defense sector.

The Indian government has significantly increased its funding for acquisitions of domestically produced military equipment. In 2023, 75% of the total defense acquisition budget was allocated for indigenous equipment, amounting to an investment of 14 billion USD. This funding includes notable projects such as the 83 Tejas MK-1A multirole fighter jets and the locally developed Light Combat Helicopter, two programs that symbolize the growing strength of India’s defense industry.