SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant development at Aero India 2025, Russia has offered India the advanced engine powering its latest stealth fighter, the Sukhoi-57, for the upgrade program of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing Sukhoi-30MKI fleet. The proposal has the potential to enhance the performance of the IAF’s largest fleet of fighter jets, bringing them closer to cutting-edge stealth and operational capabilities.
Currently, the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet is powered by the AL-31 engine, which is renowned for its performance and reliability. However, the AL-41 engine used in the Sukhoi-57, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, offers a significant leap in terms of power, thrust, and overall efficiency. The AL-41 engine boasts improved thrust-to-weight ratio, better fuel efficiency, and enhanced maneuverability, making it a suitable upgrade for the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, which has been a backbone of the IAF’s fleet for over two decades.
Vadim Badekha, CEO of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), confirmed the offer during a media interaction at Aero India 2025. He stated, “We are offering the new AL-41 engine as part of the Sukhoi-30 upgrade to India.” This move highlights Russia’s commitment to enhancing India’s air combat capabilities by providing a more advanced engine technology for its existing fleet.
The IAF operates 272 Sukhoi-30MKI jets, which form the largest fleet of any single aircraft type in India. These aircraft have been a critical part of the Indian Air Force’s strategy, serving in various roles from air superiority to ground attack. The Sukhoi-30MKI’s versatility and advanced avionics have made it one of the most formidable fighter jets in the IAF’s arsenal.
As the IAF continues to modernize its fleet and maintain a technological edge over potential adversaries, the offer to upgrade the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet with the AL-41 engine presents an exciting opportunity to further bolster the aircraft’s capabilities. This upgrade would significantly improve the fighter’s performance in terms of speed, agility, and overall mission effectiveness.
The AL-41 engine is designed for high-performance and is optimized for use in next-generation fighter jets like the Sukhoi-57. By replacing the older AL-31 engines with the AL-41, the IAF can expect:
- Improved Thrust: The AL-41 offers better thrust-to-weight ratio, allowing the Sukhoi-30MKI to perform better in air combat situations, particularly during high-speed maneuvers and at higher altitudes.
- Enhanced Fuel Efficiency: The new engine is more fuel-efficient, which can lead to extended range and operational endurance for the aircraft, a crucial factor in modern aerial warfare.
- Increased Reliability: The AL-41 is designed to withstand more demanding conditions, making it a durable choice for the Sukhoi-30MKI’s operations in various environments.
- Fifth-Generation Capabilities: By incorporating the AL-41, the Sukhoi-30MKI would benefit from some of the performance enhancements seen in the Sukhoi-57 stealth jet, bringing India’s air power closer to that of fifth-generation technologies.
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