Russia is once again offering India the 177S engine, but the value of the deal could be much broader than just the supply of a new power plant. The engine develops up to 14.5 tons of thrust with the same dimensions and weight as the AL-31F/FP, so it can be used on Su-family aircraft without structural modifications, and its declared service life reaches 6,000 hours. This is what makes the 177S potentially interesting for the Indian Su-30MKI modernization program, concurrently with negotiations on the Su-57E.

The Indian publication IDRW reports the return of the offer amid intensified negotiations between Moscow and New Delhi on the Russian fifth-generation fighter.

The meaning of Russia's position is quite clear: instead of a separate deal for a new aircraft, India is offered access to a power plant that can be integrated into an already mastered platform. For a country operating a large fleet of Su-30MKIs and having its own AL-31FP production, this is much more practical than starting modernization with a complete aircraft overhaul.

In terms of thrust, the 177S significantly surpasses the previous generation while maintaining its dimensions. UEC declares up to 14.5 tons of thrust, a service life of 6,000 hours, and a 7% reduction in fuel consumption across all modes; with lower service life requirements, thrust can be further increased.

This results in a rare combination for modernization: Indian Su-30MKIs receive a more modern engine without changing the basic layout, and operating costs should decrease.

This is especially important for India because the AL-31FP has long been integrated into the local production chain. HAL has received a license for its production and repair, so the 177S could potentially become the next step in the same industrial model – from manufacturing and servicing a Soviet-Russian engine to mastering a more modern power plant.