HAL Koraput Ships 2,000th Engine as India Expands Propulsion Lines
- 2,000th aero-engine delivered by HAL Koraput
- Rs 553 crore for engine line expansions
- AL-31FP capacity rising to 50 annually
- Rs 5,000 crore high-thrust AMCA engine plan
India's drive for sovereign propulsion reached a major operational milestone this week. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited rolled out its 2,000th aero-engine from its Koraput division in Odisha, capping six decades of manufacturing while unlocking fresh capital approvals exceeding Rs 550 crore to ramp up frontline assembly lines.
To meet fleet readiness demands, the Ministry of Defence is investing Rs 335 crore to increase annual AL-31FP fighter engine production from 30 to 50 units. An additional Rs 218 crore will establish a second Shakti production line by 2028-29, scaling output to 100 engines annually for Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters and Prachand Light Combat Helicopters. Koraput has also overhauled over 9,000 military engines since 1964.
Beyond current assembly targets, New Delhi is committing roughly Rs 5,000 crore toward an indigenous high-thrust engine program for the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The initiative pairs HAL with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited to develop domestic superalloys, alongside establishing India's first dedicated high-thrust aero-engine testing facility to resolve long-standing propulsion bottlenecks.
For private precision machinists and defense suppliers, the blueprint promises deeper tier-two integration. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh directed HAL to transform Koraput into a regional propulsion hub, urging deeper collaboration with MSMEs and specialized startups for raw material processing, thermal coatings, and mission-critical component fabrication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What milestone did HAL Koraput achieve?
HAL's Koraput Division delivered its 2,000th aero-engine, marking 60 years of aero propulsion manufacturing and over 9,000 engine overhauls since 1964.
How is HAL expanding its aero-engine capacity?
HAL is investing Rs 335 crore to raise AL-31FP output to 50 engines per year and Rs 218 crore to add a second Shakti engine line producing 100 units annually by 2028-29.
Which aircraft use engines manufactured at HAL Koraput?
The facility powers frontline fighters such as the Su-30MKI and MiG variants, alongside indigenous helicopters including the Dhruv ALH and Prachand LCH.
What is the budget for India's high-thrust engine program?
The Ministry of Defence is pursuing an indigenous high-thrust propulsion program for the AMCA stealth fighter with a planned investment of about Rs 5,000 crore.
Source
Press Information Bureau Release ID 2319668, Ministry of Defence · 2026-10-06
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