India has taken another monumental leap toward self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) delivered its 2000th aero-engine from its Koraput division to the defense forces. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the landmark event and announced several ambitious initiatives to scale up the nation's aero-engine design and production capabilities.
Expanding Production for AL-31FP and Shakti Engines
To meet the growing operational demands of the Indian Air Force, HAL is scaling up the annual production capacity of AL-31FP engines for Su-30MKI fighter jets from 30 to 50 units, backed by an investment of 335 crores. Furthermore, a second production line for Shakti engines—powering indigenous helicopters like the Dhruv ALH and Prachand LCH—is being established at a cost of 218 crores, aiming to roll out up to 100 engines annually by 2028-29.
The ₹5,000 Crore High-Thrust Mission for AMCA
Highlighting the strategic imperative of indigenous propulsion, Rajnath Singh emphasized that India must master the complex technology of manufacturing high-thrust aero-engines locally. The government is aggressively pursuing a ₹5,000 crore high-thrust engine program specifically tailored for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This comprehensive initiative involves local material sourcing in collaboration with agencies like MIDHANI, alongside establishing advanced testing and maintenance infrastructure within the country, cementing HAL Koraput's position as a premier aerospace propulsion hub.
This report is based on official statements, government briefings, and press releases regarding HAL's defense manufacturing milestones. 'The Freelance' ensures complete factual integrity of its reports.
