NEW DELHI: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-run enterprise, is set to enhance its annual output of AL-31FP engines for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30MKI fleet from 30 to 50 units. Additionally, HAL will establish a second production line for the Shakti helicopter engine, as announced by the government on Tuesday, coinciding with HAL’s Koraput division surpassing the milestone of 2,000 engines produced.
During the announcement in Odisha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh revealed that this new Shakti production line will be located in Koraput, with an investment of Rs 218 crore. Once fully operational by 2028-29, this line will be capable of producing up to 100 engines each year.
The Shakti engine, which is jointly developed with the French company Safran, powers the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, as well as its armed variant, the Rudra, and the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter.
This expansion aligns with the armed forces’ plans to introduce 156 Prachand helicopters, with distribution of 66 units to the IAF and 90 to the Army. The helicopters were contracted from HAL in March 2025 for a total of Rs 62,700 crore, and each aircraft is equipped with two Shakti engines.
In addition, the annual output of AL-31FP engines will be increased with a funding of Rs 335 crore.
The Ministry of Defence had previously signed a contract exceeding Rs 26,000 crore with HAL in September 2024 for 240 AL-31FP engines for the Su-30MKI aircraft. So far, HAL has delivered 63 engines, surpassing the target of 60 by the end of the second operational year.
HAL’s Koraput division has a notable history of manufacturing engines for various generations of IAF fighter aircraft, including the MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29, and Su-30MKI. It has also performed overhauls on more than 9,000 engines.
Labeling the aero-engine as the “heart” of an aircraft, Defence Minister Singh emphasized that mastering propulsion technology is vital for achieving self-reliance in the aerospace and defense sectors. He noted that this capability should also support the development of the homegrown Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Singh also mentioned a proposed investment of approximately Rs 5,000 crore into an indigenous high-thrust engine initiative, which includes establishing India’s first high-thrust engine testing facility and sourcing critical raw materials domestically through Mishra Dhatu Nigam.
The challenge of propulsion remains significant in India’s fighter aircraft program. The Kaveri engine developed by the DRDO did not meet the thrust requirements for the Tejas fighter, leading to reliance on the F404 engine from GE. Delays in the delivery of F404 engines have further stalled the production of the Tejas Mk-1A, with HAL receiving only 10 engines to date.
In a separate initiative, the DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has proposed a collaboration with Safran to co-develop a 120kN-class engine for the AMCA. This proposal, valued at nearly Rs. 60,000 crore, is pending final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Modi.
