Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has manufactured the first AL-31FP engine at the Sukhoi Engine Division plant and delivered it to the Indian Air Force. The new contract, worth $3.1 billion, provides for the production of 240 engines for Su-30MKI fighters over 8 years. This is reported by Bulgarian Military.
According to Bulgarian Military, the Sukhoi Engine Division plant has introduced modern technologies and prepared infrastructure that meets world standards. To fully meet the needs of the Indian Air Force, 950 new engines are needed for the Su-30MKI fleet.
Equipping the Su-30MKI with new engines produced under Russian license is part of a larger modernization effort aimed at bringing the fighters up to fifth-generation standards. This modernization will extend their service life to 2055.
It is also known that Russia and India are negotiating to increase the licensed production of Su-30MKI fighters by another 50 units. The parties are discussing the joint production of 50 Su-30s for export.
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