NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Monday inked the mega over Rs 26,000 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics (
HAL
) for the procurement of 240 aero-engines to power the Sukhoi-30MKI jets, which will sustain the operational capability of the 259 such Russian-origin fighters in the
IAF
combat fleet.
The 240 AL-31FP aero-engines will be manufactured by the Koraput division of HAL, with the defence PSU sourcing some components from
Russia
.
Under the contract, signed in the presence of IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and defence secretary
Giridhar Aramane
, HAL “would enhance the indigenisation content of the aero-engines to 63% by the end of the delivery timeframe to achieve an average of over 54%”, a
MoD
official said.
“This would also help increase the indigenous content of repair and overhaul tasks of the aero-engines. Around 30 aero-engines will be supplied per annum, with the delivery of all 240 to be completed over the next eight years,” he added. The PM-led cabinet committee on security had cleared the deal on Sept 2, which is crucial considering that the IAF is grappling with just 30 fighter squadrons when at least 42 are needed to tackle the twin threat from China and Pakistan, as was earlier reported by TOI.
The 259 twin-engine Sukhois, the bulk of them produced by HAL under licence from Russia for over $12 billion, are the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet. Another 12 new Sukhois along with associated equipment are now being ordered for around Rs 11,500 crore to replace the ones that crashed over the years.
The CCS in Feb has also cleared new engines for the around 60 MiG-29 fighters in the IAF fleet for Rs 5,300 crore, which too will be manufactured by HAL with Russian collaboration. India’s failure to indigenously produce aero-engines for fighters, with the requisite thrust-to-weight ratio, has been a major problem over the years. The IAF is now ordering aero-engines in bulk, instead of the earlier piecemeal orders, to bring down the costs and enhance the indigenous content. Engines need to be replaced at least two to three times during a fighter’s operational life.
