Lovish Chauhan
North News
Chandigarh, September 10
The Defence Ministry inked a major over Rs 26,000 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). This was for the procurement of 240 aero-engines to power the Sukhoi-30MKI jets, which will sustain the operational capability of the 259 such Russian-origin fighters in the IAF combat fleet. This contract was signed in the presence of IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. “HAL would enhance the indigenisation content of the aero-engines to 63% by the end of the delivery timeframe to achieve an average of over 54%,” said an MoD official. “This would also help increase the indigenous content of repair and overhaul tasks of the aero-engines. Around 30 aero-engines will be supplied per annum, with the delivery of all 240 to be completed over the next eight years,” he added.
The 259 twin-engine Sukhois, the bulk of them produced by HAL under license from Russia for over $12 billion, are the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet. Another 12 new Sukhois along with associated equipment are now being ordered for around Rs 11,500 crore to replace the ones that crashed over the years.
India’s failure to indigenously produce aero-engines for fighters with the requisite thrust-to-weight ratio has been a major problem over the years. The IAF is now ordering aero-engines in bulk instead of the earlier piecemeal orders to bring down the costs and enhance the indigenous content.
