In a significant milestone for India’s defence sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first AL-31FP aero engine for the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on October 1, 2024. This delivery, under a new contract for 240 engines, took place at HAL’s Koraput Division in the presence of high-ranking officials, including Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Dr DK Sunil.
The engine was formally handed over by Saket Chaturvedi, CEO of HAL’s MiG Complex, to Air Vice Marshal K Harisankar of the IAF. The contract, signed on September 9, 2024, mandates the delivery of 240 AL-31FP engines over the next eight years, strengthening the operational capabilities of the IAF’s Su-30MKI fleet.
Kumar praised HAL for delivering the first engine just two weeks after the contract was signed, stating, “This key milestone reflects HAL’s aero engine manufacturing competency and dedication to support the Su-30MKI fleet of the IAF.” He emphasized the importance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and encouraged HAL’s Koraput Division to continue expanding its capabilities to match global standards.
Dr DK Sunil reiterated HAL’s commitment to timely delivery, emphasizing that the Koraput Division would work on enhancing capacity and increasing local industry participation in engine production. “We aim to raise the Indian industry’s work share in engine manufacturing from 40 per cent to over 50 per cent in the next 2-3 years, in line with the Government’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.
Air Vice Marshal Harisankar commended the Koraput Division’s long-standing support for the IAF’s fleet, highlighting its contribution to the maintenance and development of MiG-21, MiG-29, and Su-30MKI engines.
This delivery marks a major step in HAL’s ongoing efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence production and strengthen India’s aerospace capabilities.