The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday approved a proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for the Su-30 MKI aircraft of the IAF, an official statement said.
These engines will be procured under the Buy (Indian) category from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), at an overall cost of Rs 26,000 crore inclusive of all taxes and duties.
Consequently, the delivery of these aero-engines would commence after one year and completed over a period of eight years, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The engines will have more than 54 per cent indigenous content increased due to indigenisation of some key components and will be manufactured at Koraput division of HAL, the statement added.
It is one of the most potent and strategically important components of IAF's fleet, said the Ministry adding that supply of these aero-engines by HAL would meet the fleet sustenance requirement to continue their unhindered operations and strengthen the defence preparedness of the country.
As recently as last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had informed that the 'GE-414' engines for the fighter jets will now be made in India. He marked it as a remarkable progress in the country's engine-making capability. He referred to his recent US visit and said he had fruitful discussions with the US Defence companies and they were excited to join the 'Make In India' programme. Rajnath Singh said, "There was a time when the country used to depend upon other countries for meeting its defence requirements. It was getting about 65-70 per cent of defence equipment imported, but today the situation has reversed." That 65 per cent is now being manufactured on Indian soil and only 35 per cent is being imported, he marked the difference.
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