HAL Delivers First AL-31FP Engine Under ₹26,000 Crore Contract with IAF

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over the first AL-31FP engine for the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of a contract for the supply of 240 engines to power Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The delivery took place on September 30, 2024, at HAL's Koraput facility in Odisha, less than a month after the agreement was signed.

The contract, valued at ₹26,000 crore, was signed on September 9, 2024, between HAL and the Ministry of Defence. The deal outlines the delivery of all 240 engines over the next eight years to support the IAF’s operational readiness.

HAL’s Koraput division, where the engines are being produced, has developed the necessary infrastructure and technology for engine manufacturing, according to company sources. The production also involves a significant portion of local sourcing, with HAL aiming to increase the share of Indian industry involvement from 40% to more than 50% over the coming years.

The timely first delivery highlights HAL’s focus on meeting the contract deadlines. As the primary supplier of engines for the IAF’s Su-30MKI fleet, HAL is also looking at opportunities to extend its capabilities to potential global markets, leveraging its expertise in aero engine manufacturing.

The contract is part of India's ongoing efforts to strengthen indigenous defense production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. HAL is expected to continue playing a key role in this initiative through increased collaboration with domestic industries and expansion of its production capacities.