CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — The backbone of India’s fighter fleet is the Russian-designed Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and the country recently ordered 240 engines to fly the jet for years to come.
Following approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security earlier this month, authorities signed a contract with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply so-called AL-31FP engines.
The contract is worth over Rs 2,600 crore or USD 3.1 billion and the first engine will be handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a year’s time. All will be delivered within eight years and 30 units will be produced annually, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The engines manufactured by HAL under Russian license are now 54% locally sourced. However, the company plans to increase this to 63% by leveraging India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. “This will also increase the domestic content of aircraft engine repair and overhaul work,” the ministry said.
It further said, “These aero engines will be manufactured by HAL’s Koraput division and are expected to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force to maintain operational capability of the Su-30 fleet for defense readiness.”
Notably, India has chosen to stick with the AL-31FP engine even as Russia is upgrading its Su-30SM fighter jets to the newer and more powerful AL-41FS.
Incidentally, the IAF has purchased 12 new Su-30MKIs from HAL for $1.3 billion to offset losses. The acquisition was approved in September 2023.
The air service has around 260 Su-30MKIs, six of which took part in Exercise Pitch Black 2024 in Australia in July. Group Capt. Ajay Rati, Indian Detachment Commander, praised the platform and said, “Advanced avionics, thrust vector control, and superior payload capabilities make this aircraft capable of performing offensive and defensive missions, strategic and “We can carry out tactical operations.”
He described its primary capabilities as long range, maneuverability, firepower, and effectiveness in conflict environments.
Last November, India’s Defense Acquisition Council signed a major refurbishment program for 84 Su-30MKIs. HAL chairman and managing director CB Anantakrishnan later told the Economic Times: “This upgrade will see significant private sector participation, with HAL as the lead integrator.”
Chief of Air Staff Vivek Ram Chaudhary, the top Air Force official, said 51 aircraft systems will be upgraded under the project, 78% of which will be indigenous. HAL will be responsible for 30 elements while the private sector will upgrade eight systems.
Once implemented, this upgrade will include the installation of the Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, a new electronic warfare system, and a domestic infrared search and track system.
Gordon Arthur is Defense News’ Asia correspondent. After working in Hong Kong for 20 years, he now lives in New Zealand. He has participated in military exercises and defense exhibitions in approximately 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
