On February 7th, Russia-owned news agency Ria Novosti said, “New products are waiting for guests at the Russian Expo of the aircraft engine segment. For the first time in Aero India, United Engine Corporation has announced that it will be 4++ and the number one. Introducing the new “Product 177S” engine designed for 5th generation multi-roll fighters, and the VK-650V for light multi-roll helicopters. ”
Surprisingly, the Product 177S Engine has not been mentioned in Indian media. Even a few Indians who may have come across Ria Novosti’s report may have overlooked this reference.
Russia has never been known for its powerful marketing.
The key points are as follows: Russia is pitching the product 177S engine of India’s SU-30MKI upgrade program.
SU-3O MKI Upgrade
On November 30, 2023, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) recognized the acceptance of the Necessity (AON) for the modernization of the Indian Air Force’s SU-30MKI Fleet (HAL) by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) .
As part of this upgrade, HAL will equip the aircraft with indigenously developed Virupaksha Aesa Radar, electronic warfare (EW) suites, and other advanced avionics.
Additionally, HAL integrates several indigenously developed long-range weapon systems into the aircraft’s weapons management system. Modernization also extends the service life of the SU-30MKI fleet for more than 20 years, and the IAF reportedly plans to retain the upgraded aircraft until 2055.
However, there are no reports indicating that HAL plans to upgrade the aircraft’s engines.
HAL Engine Upgrade Options
Until recently, the only engine upgrade option available to HAL is the more powerful and fuel-efficient AL-41F-1S, which currently drives the Russian SU-35S AIR dominant fighter and the SU-57 Stage 1 stealth fighter. It’s there.
Russia has argued that if the AL-41F-1, which provides 16% thrust and is twice as cost-effective, there is no need for a change to the fuselage.
However, Russia has not yet demonstrated engine compatibility with its own SU-30SM fleet. The SU-30SM is an analogue from the IAF SU-30MKI.
Russia has now upgraded the SU-30SM to the SU-30SM2 standard, equipped with more powerful radar, long-range precision strike capabilities, improved situational awareness, and an enhanced aircraft. Flight tests for the SU-30SM2 using the AL-41F-1S engine are underway.
In August 2024, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) delivered an unspecified number of SU-30SM2 fighter jets to the Russian Ministry of Defense. However, these aircraft were not equipped with the AL-41F-1S engine.
Delivery of the SU-30SM2 fighter jet equipped with the AL-41F-1S engine is expected to begin by mid-2025. Early delivery of the SU-30SM2 fighter jet without engine upgrades could have been driven by operational requirements due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The time it took to upgrade the SU-30M2 variant with the AL-41F-1S engine suggests that the integration is not seamless.
Understand why the IAF is not committed
Given the wide range of planned SU-30MKI upgrades and the relatively low maturity of HAL and DRDO capabilities in implementing such upgrades, upgraded aircraft will be placed on the IAF within the next 6-8 years. It’s unlikely to be delivered.
At this stage, it appears to be a practical decision not to commit to an engine upgrade.
The SU-30MKI upgrade program is still in its early stages, and the AL-41F-1S is not yet fully integrated with the SU-30 platform. The IAF has the option to consider an engine upgrade in a later phase of the program, if necessary.
HAL has invested heavily in local manufacturing of its AL-31FP engines. However, the technology has been slow to absorb, with indigenous peoples currently only slightly above 54%.
HAL aims to increase this to 63% by the end of its current delivery program. To support this effort, HAL is working with Indian industries, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance the local production and maintenance capabilities of these engines.
Switching to a new power plant at this stage can significantly increase upgrade costs and create additional challenges for HAL.
However, in the long run, the IAF’s greatest benefit is to upgrade to a more powerful, fuel-efficient engine due to lower operating costs.
Russian Products 177S Engine Pitch
Russia is likely to recognize India’s need for a low-cost, low-risk alternative to the AL-41F-1S, and has developed the product 177S engine.
Rostec unveiled its first product 177S aircraft engine at Zhuhai’s Airshow China in November 2024.
The Product 177 and AL-31FP engines used in the SU-30MKI have the same weights and dimensions, making them completely interchangeable.
The AL-31FP offers a maximum combat thrust of 12,500 kg, while the product 177S offers 14,500 kg. Both engines have a dry weight of 1,520 kg.
As a result, the AL-31FP’s thrust to weight (T:W) ratio is 8.2:1, and the product 177S ratio is 9.5:1.
Product 177 also boasts a service life of 6,000 hours, three times the AL-31FP. Additionally, all operating modes reduce certain fuel consumption, reduce operational costs, and increase aircraft flight range.
The fan design enhances the ingestion resistance of foreign bodies and birds, improving engine safety.
Product 177S is equipped with a complete engine Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, complemented by redundant hydrodynamic control circuits for improved reliability.
Conclusion
It is unwise for the IAF to overlook technological advances that can increase the combat potential, range and durability of the SU-30MKI while also reducing operational costs.
Given the commonality of the advanced components between the AL-31FP and the Product 177S engine, HAL was relatively easy to move from the production of the AL-31FP to the production of the 177.
The Product 177S shares the same dimensions and weight as the AL-31FP, so it is integrated into an upgraded SU-30MKIS and converted into an existing aircraft, allowing for significant improvements in performance, range and durability.
More importantly, the product 177S represents a major leap in Russian aero-engine technology, making it comparable to the Western alternatives available to India.
By acquiring ownership in the 177s, HAL was able to develop all the surrounding Indigenous fighters in the development of fighters in a short period of time, promoting India’s independence in the development of fighters.
Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur and military analyst. For the author’s personal views, please follow the author @vkthakur
