SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, Russia unveiled its next-generation fighter jet engine, Izdeliye 177S, developed by United Engine Corporation (UEC) under the Rostec conglomerate. This engine integrates fifth-generation technologies derived in part from the AL-51 engine that powers the Su-57 “Felon.” While Russia has offered this engine for India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the 177S has piqued the interest of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for another reason: its potential as a future upgrade for the Su-30MKI fleet.
The Su-30MKI, the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet, is currently powered by the AL-31FP engine. Both AL-31FP and Izdeliye 177S engines share identical weight and dimensions (1,520 kg dry weight), making them fully interchangeable without requiring structural changes to the aircraft — a crucial factor for cost-effective integration.
However, the similarities end there. The AL-31FP offers 12,500 kg of maximum combat thrust, while the Product 177S boasts a much higher output of 14,500 kg. This results in a thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR) improvement from 8.2:1 (AL-31FP) to 9.5:1 (177S). Additionally, the 177S engine has a service life of 6,000 hours—three times that of the AL-31FP—and offers significantly lower specific fuel consumption across operating regimes, translating into reduced operating costs and increased range.
Another standout feature of the 177S is its stealth-treated thrust vectoring control (TVC) nozzle, which reduces both infrared and radar signatures, offering additional survivability enhancements.
For years, there has been discussion around upgrading the Su-30MKI with the AL-41F engine used in the Su-35. Despite offering 16% more thrust than the AL-31FP and being cost-effective, the IAF was not convinced of its benefits, as it did not offer a substantial generational leap. The AL-41F, essentially an evolution of the AL-31 series, failed to justify the investment, especially given that HAL has already localized manufacturing of the AL-31FP, albeit with limited success in indigenization (currently around 54%, aiming to increase to 63%) and the engine was rolled out way back in 2001 as powerplant for the Su-35.
Switching to the AL-41F would also have required airframe modifications, complicating the upgrade and adding to costs — a scenario the IAF wanted to avoid, also since Russians have yet to demonstrate their Su-30SM with AL-41F even though reports have emerged that work on installation has been carried out but still it has not been mass adopted yet.
Despite HAL’s growing investments and efforts in improving the local content and maintenance ecosystem for the AL-31FP, the IAF is now factoring in the long-term future of the Su-30MKI, some of which are expected to remain in service till 2060 and beyond. This necessitates a more forward-looking approach to upgrades, and the 177S engine, unlike the AL-41F, is seen as a true generational leap.
Sources familiar with the matter have told idrw.org that while the IAF top brass is intrigued by the Izdeliye 177S, the engine is not yet operationally ready. Russia lacks a major domestic aerospace program that would absorb the engine in significant numbers, raising doubts about its production scale and maturity. As a result, India may be required to co-fund its development and certification, particularly for integration with the Su-30MKI.
Furthermore, with no near-term Russian deployment of the 177S, there is uncertainty about when or if the engine will become available. This presents a strategic risk: investing in a powerplant that may never reach operational maturity or full-rate production without India’s financial and technical backing.
The Izdeliye 177S represents a technological leap for the Su-30MKI platform, offering better performance, fuel efficiency, stealth features, and longevity. It aligns well with the IAF’s long-term vision to sustain and upgrade its fleet into the 2060s. However, the engine’s readiness, lack of existing production programs, and the potential requirement for Indian investment make it a strategic gamble.
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