SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s plans to increase the indigenous content in the AL-31FP aero engines, which power the Su-30MKI fighter jets, have hit a roadblock as Russia has expressed reluctance to approve further localization efforts. These engines are produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Koraput division, with the current indigenous content standing at less than 54%. HAL aims to increase this to 63% in the coming years, but challenges surrounding intellectual property and raw material sourcing have complicated the process.
Under the original transfer of technology (ToT) agreement, HAL is required to source raw materials for the production of AL-31FP engines exclusively from Russia. This restriction limits HAL’s ability to substitute components with locally manufactured parts or use Indian alloys without Russian approval. While HAL and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) have developed plans to replace certain assemblies and sub-assemblies with locally produced equivalents, Russia has warned that such modifications would void the engines’ warranty.
Russia retains intellectual property (IP) rights over the AL-31FP engines, giving it significant control over production parameters. Moscow’s stance stems from concerns over safeguarding its proprietary technologies and ensuring continued dependence on Russian support for these engines.
Despite the hurdles, HAL and GTRE remain committed to enhancing the indigenization of the AL-31FP engines. Replacing key assemblies with components manufactured using Indian alloys and raw materials will enhance their durability. If HAL proceeds with these modifications without Russian authorization, the company will need to assume full responsibility for the engines’ performance, including providing warranties and after-sales support.
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