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Agreement with HAL for purchase of 240 aero engines for Sukhoi fighter aircraft | News India

– Supply of engines will start after one year and will be completed in a period of eight years – After the upgrade, Sukhoi will not be a Russian jet but will become 78% indigenous

New Delhi, 09 September (HS). For 'self-reliance' in the defense sector, the Defense Ministry on Monday signed a contract of Rs 26 thousand crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Under this agreement, 240 aero engines (AL-31 MP) will be purchased from HAL for the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft. The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved this purchase deal on 02 September.

The Russian-made Sukhoi-30 MKI is one of the most powerful and strategically important fighter fleets of the Indian Air Force. To enhance the strike capability of the Sukhoi aircraft, such radars, new engines, IRST sensors, next generation RWR, advanced jammers, avionics, new EW suits, DFCC, Indian missiles and bombs are to be installed. After the upgrade at HAL, the Sukhoi-30 will no longer be a Russian jet, but will turn into an Indian jet after 78% indigenization. After the completion of the upgrade, the fighter fleet of the Indian Air Force will get a big boost and the dependence on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will also be reduced to a great extent.

Apart from this, Sukhoi's engines also need to be replaced, for which the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved it on 02 September. The delivery of 240 aero-engines (AL-31 MP) for these aircraft of the Indian Air Force will begin after one year and will be completed in a period of eight years. These engines will have more than 54 percent indigenous content. The supply of these aero engines to be manufactured at HAL will meet the needs of the air fighter fleet of the Air Force, so that they can continue their uninterrupted operations and strengthen the country's war and defense preparedness.

Defence Ministry today signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of 240 AH-31MP aero engines for Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore. The contract was signed by senior officials of Ministry of Defence and HAL in presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary in New Delhi. These aero engines will be manufactured at HAL's Koraput Division. As per the agreement, HAL will supply 30 aero engines per year. The supply of all 240 engines will be completed in a period of next eight years.