THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

KORAPUT, OCTOBER 6, 2026

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called for strengthening India’s indigenous capabilities in the design, development, testing, manufacturing and maintenance of advanced aero-engines, asserting that mastery of propulsion technology is essential for self-reliance in the aerospace and defence sector.

Singh made the remarks as he witnessed the delivery of the 2,000th aero-engine by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Koraput division and announced the establishment of a second production line for Shakti engines. The milestone marks nearly six decades of propulsion manufacturing at the facility, which was established in 1964.

Describing the achievement as a significant milestone in India’s aerospace journey, the Raksha Mantri congratulated the engineers, technicians, scientists and skilled workforce of HAL Koraput, saying the 2,000 engines represented 2,000 contributions to the operational capability of the Armed Forces.

HAL Koraput has played a key role in military aviation, with its engines powering frontline aircraft such as the MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI. Singh also highlighted the division’s overhaul capabilities, noting that more than 9,000 engines have been overhauled so far.

He said production creates new capability while overhaul extends the service life of existing assets, making both crucial for military preparedness. Indigenous repair and overhaul capabilities, indigenisation of components and reduced turnaround time, he added, are contributing to operational readiness and extending the service life of critical defence equipment.

Describing the aero-engine as the "heart" of an aircraft, Singh said reliable propulsion is indispensable for fully exploiting advanced airframes, radars, weapons and avionics.

He underlined the technological complexity involved in aero-engine manufacturing, including precision engineering, advanced materials, metallurgy, sophisticated cooling systems, thermal-barrier coatings and superalloys capable of withstanding extreme operating conditions.

The Defence Minister said aerospace self-reliance must extend to indigenous aero-engine capability, particularly for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The government is pursuing an indigenous high-thrust engine programme with an investment of around Rs 5,000 crore, including efforts to indigenise raw materials in partnership with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) and establish India’s first indigenous high-thrust engine testing facility.

A sovereign aerospace ecosystem, he said, must encompass the entire chain — from critical materials and design to manufacturing, testing and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO).

Highlighting HAL’s performance in meeting the requirements of the Defence Forces, Singh said the government had placed an order for 240 AL-31FP engines with HAL in 2024 for the Su-30MKI.

Despite global supply-chain disruptions and raw-material challenges, HAL delivered the first engine ahead of schedule and has supplied 63 engines against a target of 60 by the end of the second year, he said.

Singh announced that HAL is raising its annual AL-31FP production capacity from 30 to 50 engines with an investment of Rs 335 crore.

He also announced the establishment of a second production line for Shakti engines at an investment of Rs 218 crore. The new line will have the capacity to manufacture up to 100 engines annually and is scheduled to be fully established by 2028-29. It will cater to the requirements of indigenous helicopters, including the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).

Emphasising the importance of dependable indigenous propulsion for India’s helicopter ecosystem, Singh said the Armed Forces need engines that are available when required, supported throughout their lifecycle and capable of being upgraded with evolving technologies.

He said aero-engine development is a long-term endeavour requiring sustained investment, specialised testing infrastructure, skilled manpower and a strong industrial ecosystem, with emphasis on repeatable, reliable and scalable production, critical materials and advanced superalloys.

Singh also called for greater participation of MSMEs, start-ups, private industry, academia and research institutions in India’s propulsion ecosystem.

He urged HAL to transform Koraput from an engine production facility into a broader aerospace propulsion hub by nurturing suppliers, mentoring MSMEs, supporting start-ups and young engineers, collaborating with universities and research institutions and developing indigenous capabilities for critical engine components.

Highlighting Odisha’s growing importance in the defence and aerospace sector, Singh said the state’s strategic location, long coastline, ports, mineral resources, industrial infrastructure and skilled manpower provide a strong foundation for the expansion of the ecosystem.

He cited the DRDO’s Integrated Test Range at Chandipur and recent initiatives of the Odisha government as important elements supporting the state’s emerging aerospace and defence manufacturing landscape.

Appreciating the initiatives of the Odisha government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Singh highlighted the approval for an Aerospace and Defence Equipment Manufacturing Complex at Gajamara in Dhenkanal.

He called upon HAL to develop Koraput as the nucleus of a wider aerospace propulsion ecosystem by developing suppliers, mentoring MSMEs, providing opportunities to young engineers and start-ups in advanced technology areas, collaborating with universities and research institutions, creating opportunities for skilled local youth and building indigenous manufacturing capabilities for critical engine components.

Urging the HAL Koraput team to raise standards in quality, productivity, indigenisation, innovation and delivery timelines, Singh said the 2,000th engine should serve as a foundation for building an Indian aerospace industry capable of designing, developing, manufacturing and supporting advanced propulsion systems.

He congratulated the HAL Koraput team, Indian Air Force, industry partners, MSMEs, scientists, engineers, technicians and the people of Odisha on the milestone.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Tejpal Singh, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K, MIDHANI Chairman and Managing Director Dr S V S Narayana Murty and Joint Secretary (Aerospace Wing & DOMW) Manisha Chandra were also present at the event.