Klimov RD-33MK turbofan engine used in the MiG-29K/KUB fighter aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has an order to manufacture 12 Su-30MKI jets and 61 AL-31FP engines at its Nashik and Koraput plants respectively.

Indian Minister of State, Defence, Shripad Naik said in a written reply in Parliament yesterday that HAL had prepared a proposal to enhance the Repair and Overhaul (ROH) facility for the AL-31FP engines used in the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter.

The public sector defence company is also planning to establish ROH facilities for RD-33MK engines of MiG-29K/KUB fighter aircraft.

He said that the task of integrating BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on IAF Su-30MKI "will also be a gainful utilisation of HAL's skilled manpower."

HAL has said earlier that its current order of 272 aircraft would get over with the completion of the remaining order for Su-30MKI jets. An additional order for 18 Su-30MKI aircraft is also in the pipeline.

Additionally, the company has concrete orders to build 24 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, 12 Dornier DO-228, 56 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), 8 Chetak helicopters, 3 Cheetal helicopters and 19 Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines that powers MiG-29 fighters.