Defence / HAL Koraput Delivers 2,000th Aero-Engine; Rajnath Singh Announces New Shakti Engine Line

Koraput, Oct 6: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday witnessed the delivery of the 2,000th aero-engine by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Koraput Division and announced the establishment of a second production line for Shakti helicopter engines, officials said.

Describing the occasion as a significant achievement for the country's defence and aerospace sector, Minister Singh stressed the need to strengthen indigenous capabilities in the design, development, testing, manufacturing and maintenance of advanced aero-engines. He said mastery of propulsion technology was crucial to achieving self-reliance in aerospace and defence.

Congratulating HAL's engineers, technicians, scientists and workforce, the Defence Minister said the production of 2,000 aero-engines reflected six decades of engineering excellence and technological expertise since the Koraput Division was established in 1964.

Backbone of military aviation

Highlighting HAL Koraput's contribution to military aviation, Singh noted that engines manufactured by the division have powered frontline aircraft including the MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI. He also underscored the importance of overhaul operations, noting that more than 9,000 engines had undergone repair and overhaul at the facility, significantly enhancing operational readiness and extending the service life of defence assets.

Calling the aero-engine the "heart" of an aircraft, he said reliable propulsion systems are essential for maximising the capabilities of advanced airframes, radars, avionics and weapon systems. He emphasised that aero-engine technology demands expertise in precision manufacturing, metallurgy, advanced materials, cooling technologies and stringent quality control.

Push for self-reliance

The Defence Minister said India must develop indigenous aero-engine capabilities to support future programmes such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). He referred to the proposed investment of around ₹5,000 crore in aero-engine development, efforts to indigenise raw materials in partnership with MIDHANI, and plans to establish the country's first indigenous high-thrust engine testing facility.

Reviewing HAL's recent performance, Singh noted that the government had placed an order for 240 AL-31FP engines in 2024 for the Su-30MKI fleet. Despite global supply-chain disruptions, 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.

Odisha's growing role

To strengthen production capacity, Singh announced an investment of ₹335 crore to increase annual AL-31FP engine production from 30 to 50 units. He also unveiled a ₹218-crore second production line for Shakti engines, capable of manufacturing up to 100 engines annually by 2028-29 for indigenous platforms such as the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and Prachand Light Combat Helicopter.
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The Defence Minister highlighted Odisha's growing importance in the aerospace and defence ecosystem, pointing to its industrial infrastructure, mineral resources, skilled workforce and strategic facilities. He also lauded the State government's approval of an Aerospace and Defence Equipment Manufacturing Complex at Gajamara in Dhenkanal district.

Calling for greater participation of MSMEs, start-ups, academia and research institutions, Singh urged HAL to transform Koraput into a comprehensive aerospace propulsion hub capable of driving India's next phase of aerospace self-reliance.