HAL to Ramp Up AL-31FP Engine Production to 50 Units Annually by 2030

New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to significantly increase production of AL-31FP turbofan engines to meet the Indian Air Force’s growing requirements for its large fleet of Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.

HAL currently manufactures around 30 AL-31FP engines annually, but the aerospace major plans to raise production capacity to 50 engines a year by 2030. The expansion is aimed at ensuring a steady supply of replacement engines as an increasing number of Su-30MKIs approach major maintenance and engine replacement milestones.

The planned capacity enhancement comes against the backdrop of a Rs 26,000 crore contract signed by the Ministry of Defence in September 2024 for the procurement of 240 AL-31FP engines for the IAF.

Supporting the Su-30MKI fleet

The Su-30MKI is the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet, with more than 259 aircraft currently in operational service. The twin-engine fighter has been a critical component of India’s air power strategy for more than two decades.

A substantial number of Su-30MKIs were inducted during the 2010s, and several aircraft are now entering stages of their operational life cycle where their original engines require replacement or major overhaul.

As the first-generation engines approach their prescribed service and overhaul limits, demand for new AL-31FP powerplants is expected to rise considerably during the second half of the decade.

HAL’s planned increase in production is intended to ensure that engine availability does not become a constraint on the operational readiness of the Su-30MKI fleet.

Expanding production and indigenous content

To meet the growing requirement, HAL is strengthening infrastructure at its Koraput division in Odisha, where AL-31FP engines are manufactured from the raw-material stage.

The company currently produces approximately 30 engines annually and plans to increase this figure to 50 by 2030. Alongside higher production, HAL is also focusing on increasing the indigenous content of the engines.

The current production programme has more than 54 per cent indigenous content, while HAL is working with Indian micro, small and medium enterprises to raise the figure to around 63 per cent by the completion of the present delivery programme.

Greater localisation is expected to reduce dependence on overseas supply chains and improve the availability of critical components and spares.

Supporting the ‘Super Sukhoi’ programme

The AL-31FP is particularly important to the Su-30MKI because of its thrust-vectoring control system, which contributes to the fighter’s high manoeuvrability and distinctive flight characteristics.

A reliable domestic supply of engines will also support the IAF’s planned ‘Super Sukhoi’ modernisation programme, estimated at around Rs 65,000 crore. The extensive upgrade is intended to keep the Su-30MKI relevant well into the 2040s and beyond.

The modernisation programme is expected to introduce several advanced systems, including the indigenous Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, upgraded electronic warfare systems and new mission computers.

The aircraft will also receive enhanced weapon capabilities, including integration with advanced long-range weapons such as the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.

The production expansion reflects a broader shift in India’s defence planning from simply acquiring new platforms to ensuring the long-term availability and combat readiness of existing frontline assets.

With the Su-30MKI expected to remain a central pillar of the IAF’s combat fleet for decades, expanding domestic engine manufacturing will help India reduce exposure to international supply-chain disruptions while improving its ability to sustain and modernise the aircraft independently.

HAL’s ramp-up therefore represents an important step towards strengthening the long-term operational readiness of the IAF and deepening indigenous capabilities in aerospace manufacturing.