Russia has suggested supplying the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the cutting-edge AL-41 engine, which powers the Sukhoi-57 stealth fighter. The goal of this proposal, which was presented at Aero India 2025, is to greatly improve the capabilities and performance of the IAF’s largest fighter jet fleet, which now comprises of 272 Sukhoi-30MKIs.
The existing AL-31 engine which powers the Su-30MKI is a two-shaft turbofan known for its reliability and performance. It generates a maximum thrust of approximately 12,500 kgf in afterburner mode and has been a staple in various Sukhoi aircraft, including the Su-30MKI1. While effective, the AL-31 is considered less powerful compared to newer engine technologies.
The AL-41 engine represents a significant advancement over the AL-31, featuring a better thrust-to-weight ratio, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced maneuverability. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for modern aerial combat scenarios.
The AL-41 engine is a fifth-generation engine with new aerodynamics and advanced materials, including high load-bearing titanium alloys. It attains a new level of turbine-inlet temperature and allows aircraft to cruise supersonically without using reheat.
The AL-41 is a designation for two different Russian military turbofan engine variants by NPO Lyulka-Saturn. One variant, the AL-41F (Izdeliye 20), is a turbofan engine with a maximum thrust of 40,000 lbf (176 kN) and a thrust-to-weight ratio of 10.5 – 11:1. The turbine inlet temperature for this variant reaches 1,642 °C (1,915 K; 2,988 °F).
The AL-41F-1S (article 117S) is a modular two-shaft turbofan engine that features thrust vector control and integrated digital control. It is installed on Su-35-type aircraft. This engine’s geometry and attachment points are designed to
The Su-57 was built with the high-performance afterburning turbofan engine known as the Saturn AL-41F1, or Izdeliye 30. With a five-stage high pressure compressor powered by a single-stage high pressure turbine and a three-stage fan powered by a single-stage low pressure turbine, the AL-51F-1 is a two-shaft low-bypass afterburning turbofan engine. To lessen its radar signal, it features convergent-divergent nozzles with serrated flaps and glass-fibre plastic IGVs. Its specific thrust is 6.4% better, its thrust-to-weight ratio is 19% higher, and its specific fuel consumption is 9% lower. It has full authority digital engine control (FADEC) with an estimated dry thrust of 107.9 kN (24,300 lbf) and an afterburner thrust of 166.8 kN (37,500 lbf).
Compared to the current AL-31 engine, the AL-41 engine has a better thrust-to-weight ratio, which improves performance in air warfare, especially during high-speed maneuvers and at higher altitudes.
Better fuel efficiency from this new engine can result in increased operational endurance and range, two important aspects of contemporary aerial combat.
The AL-41 is a robust option for a variety of situations because it is made to resist harsh operating conditions and is intended for high-performance aircraft.
By implementing some of the Sukhoi-57’s performance improvements, the AL-41 engine could help the Sukhoi-30MKI get closer to fifth-generation standards.
In light of changing regional threats, the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet upgrade is viewed as a calculated step to strengthen India’s air warfare capability. In order to keep a technological advantage over possible enemies, the IAF has been updating its fleet. The AL-41 engine might greatly increase these aircraft’s speed, agility, and overall mission effectiveness.
According to Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) in Russia, “We are offering the new AL-41 engine as part of the Sukhoi-30 upgrade to India” at Aero India 2025. In addition to demonstrating Russia’s dedication to strengthening India’s defense capabilities, this plan creates opportunities for cooperation between Russian technology suppliers and Indian defense firms.
In line with New Delhi’s strategy of boosting domestic production and lowering reliance on foreign suppliers, a crucial component of the negotiations will be enlisting India’s defense sector to manufacture and install these new engines.
Including India’s defense sector in the construction and installation of these new engines will be crucial as talks move forward, in line with New Delhi’s objective of boosting domestic manufacturing and lowering reliance on outside vendors.
France-India Cooperation on AMCA Fighter, Rafale AESA Radar, Helicopter Engines, Missiles, and Munitions
By concentrating on a number of important initiatives involving Rafale aircraft systems, helicopter engines, and missile technologies, India and France are strengthening their defense cooperation. An outline of recent developments is provided below:
France and India are collaborating on the RBE2 radar systems that are installed in Rafale aircraft. In order to improve the RBE2 radar’s capabilities, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) recently delivered its 7,000th transmit/receive module. This partnership, which has been going on since 2017, is in line with India’s “Make in India” campaign and highlights substantial technology transfer and domestic manufacturing initiatives.
The RBE2 radar, which is mostly found in Rafale jets, has a number of important characteristics that improve the aircraft’s performance. With better performance than its predecessor, the RBE2 AA is an active electronically scanned array radar. The Rafale can use long-range air-to-air missiles like Meteor because of its detection range of more than 200 km. The range is more than 50% larger than it was in the previous generation.
By tracking and detecting multiple air targets early, the radar improves situational awareness. The Rafale’s omnirole capability is further enhanced by the pilot’s ability to seamlessly transition between ground strike missions and airspace exploration. he radar provides high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images in air-to-ground mode. RBE2 AA has increased resistance to radar jamming. The Rafale also includes passive sensor systems like the Front Sector Optronics (OSF), which can detect and identify airborne, naval, and land targets discreetly.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is involved in manufacturing transmit/receive modules for the RBE2 radar, supporting the “Make in India” initiative. BEL has achieved a significant milestone under the “Make in India” policy by manufacturing and delivering the 7,000th T/R module for the RBE2 radar used on the Dassault Aviation Rafale
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project is expected to be greatly impacted by Safran’s partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in a number of ways.
For the AMCA Mk-2, Safran and DRDO are working together to build a 110kN high-thrust engine. The aircraft will be able to meet the requirements of a fifth generation stealth fighter because to its engine’s significant performance improvement over current models. In keeping with the “Make in India” campaign and promoting indigenous production capacity, every part of the new engine will be produced in India. This dedication to domestic manufacture is essential to increasing India’s defense technology self-sufficiency.
By sharing intellectual property rights, the cooperation will enable India to produce high-thrust engines on its own without being entirely dependent on foreign technology. For India to maintain long-term strategic autonomy in defense manufacture, this factor is essential.
The partnership is anticipated to accelerate the AMCA program’s development schedule. As both sides strive to finalize frameworks for engine co-development, the engine development contract is expected to be inked in 2024, keeping the project on schedule for its estimated production start in 2035.
India’s aerial capabilities across several platforms would be significantly strengthened by the technology and expertise acquired from this partnership, which will not only aid the AMCA but also other Indian defense projects like the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF).
This collaboration.
At Aero India 2025, Safran Helicopter Engines unveiled the Aravalli engine. Initial prototypes of the IMRH will utilise an existing Safran helicopter engine. HAL anticipates that the engine development will take at least 48 months, and the project would probably take 60 months to complete.
Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL are collaborating to co-develop and build the ‘Aravalli’ engines for the upcoming Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). This collaboration follows the success of the Indo-French ‘Ardiden-1H1 Shakti’ engine, which was co-developed for India’s Advanced Light Helicopters.
The engine is named after the Aravalli mountain range in north-west India. It is intended to power the 13-ton IMRH and the 12.5-ton DBMRH2. The engine is being designed and developed by HAL. Once
As part of the SAFHAL joint venture between Safran Helicopter Engines SAS and HAL, the Aravalli engine is being developed. In India, SAFHAL is committed to the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance of cutting-edge helicopter engines. With the goal of increasing the country’s technological independence in helicopter engines, the joint venture represents a major turning point in India’s aerospace and defense industry.
The IMRH is being designed by HAL to satisfy the demands of the Indian military. The multi-role helicopter weighs 13 tons. Search and rescue, medical evacuation, logistics assistance, and troop transport are just a few of the mission characteristics that the IMRH is built to handle.
The 12.5-ton DBMRH, a naval variant of the IMRH, is also being built for the Indian Navy.
The HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a smart, all-weather, air-to-surface weapon developed by Safran Electronics & Defense. It is designed to be used on other aircraft, such as the TEJAS fighter jets, and is currently integrated with the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale aircraft. The HAMMER is designed for both close air support and deep strike missions5.
The partnership between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defence aims to manufacture, customise, sell, and maintain the HAMMER weapon system in India.
The HAMMER missile, officially known as the Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM), which translates to Modular Air-to-Ground Armament, is a sophisticated French air-to-surface munition developed by Safran Electronics & Defence. It is designed to provide all-weather, precision strike capabilities for both close air support
The AASM can be configured with various guidance and propulsion systems, allowing it to be adapted for different mission requirements. Conventional bombs can be converted into precision-guided weapons thanks to their modularity, which increases their potency in combat situations.
The missile features several guidance options, a hybrid Inertial Navigation System (INS) combined with Global Positioning System (GPS) for general use.
An infrared homing variant for improved accuracy against stationary and moving targets. A laser-guided version that allows for precise targeting of fast-moving objects.
The HAMMER missile can engage targets at ranges exceeding 70 kilometers (approximately 43 miles) thanks to its tail-mounted propulsion system, which includes a solid rocket motor and winglets for enhanced manoeuvrability. It can be fitted to various bomb sizes, including 125 kg, 250 kg,
In 2007, the French Air Force and Naval Aviation deployed the AASM. It has proven its adaptability in both urban and untamed environments by being used in numerous battles. The missile is a useful tool in contemporary combat since it may attack from a safe distance, reducing the possibility that enemy defenses will harm the launch aircraft.
A wide range of targets have been successfully hit by the HAMMER missile:
Fixed Targets: Infrastructure, command centers, and buildings.
Mobile Targets: Cars and convoys, especially those using its laser-guided and infrared homing versions.
With a focus on technology transfer and domestic manufacture to improve India’s defense capabilities, these efforts demonstrate the growing strategic collaboration between France and India.
