With the aim of making itself self-reliant in the defense sector, India is continuously emphasizing on indigenously developed weapons and aircraft. Now India has got another big success in this series. India will soon start manufacturing engines to power indigenous fighter aircraft. Soon a team will start production of RD-33 engine. This engine will power the MiG-29 fleet of the Indian Air Force.
This step will also increase the operational life of MiG-29 fighter aircraft. However, Russia's help will be taken in making this engine. An agreement has been made with Russia regarding this. Interestingly, there is talk of making RD-33 engine in India. That engine is also being used in Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft. And Pakistan has to depend on China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for the engines of these fighter planes. Talking about JF-17, it is a light, multi-purpose and single engine fighter aircraft.
The contract for this work has been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) company. On March 1, 2024, the Defense Ministry awarded a contract worth Rs 5,249.72 crore to the company to manufacture RD-33 engines. In this regard, the Indian Defense Ministry said that this aero engine will be manufactured in the Koraput division of HAL. A statement from the Defense Ministry said that the manufacturing of this engine will, among other things, help in working under the indigenous theme. HAL has been awarded the contract to manufacture over 100 Klimov RD-33 engines for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force.