In a major boost to India’s indigenous jet engine manufacturing capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has placed a Rs 600 crore order with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) for the supply of superalloy, a report by Alpha Defense stated. The move aligns with India’s strategic push to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for critical engine materials.
According to the report, HAL will use these advanced materials in engines such as the Russian-origin AL31, which powers the Su-30MKI.
India’s superalloy powerhouse
Superalloys are critical to any engine program. Superalloys offer outstanding strength, heat tolerance, and durability, making them essential for jet engines and other advanced machinery. It functions in extreme environments like jet turbines, power plants, and oil refineries.
Amid global supply chain disruptions, India requires a dependable local supplier—and MIDHANI has emerged to fulfill that role.
The AL31 engine, built in India, still relies on imported alloy parts, a dependence that could be risky for the country. With two nuclear powers as neighbours, India cannot afford supply shocks like this. In such a situation, his initiative will reduce dependence and build resilience.
With this contract, HAL will now procure advanced superalloys directly from MIDHANI’s production facilities. According to Alpha Defense, the materials include nickel-based superalloys enriched with chromium, aluminum, titanium, and other high-performance elements. MIDHANI also manufactures cobalt-based alloys and a range of titanium composites.
With this order, India can indigenize engine components faster and it will make the production pipeline secure and smooth as it will replace imported parts with locally sourced materials.
Toward a jet engine ecosystem
India will soon produce GE F414 engines for Tejas Mk2 and the AMCA engine. These engines also require specialized superalloys.
This move sets the foundation for three key outcomes:
– India substitutes imports with local superalloy production.
– India gains tighter control over jet engine supply chains.
– India builds capability for upcoming strategic programs like AMCA.
