The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 240 AL-31FP aero engines for Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft at a cost of over 26 thousand crore rupees. According to the Defence Ministry, these aero engines will be manufactured by the Koraput Division of HAL and enhance the operational capability of the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet for defence preparedness. HAL will supply 30 aero engines annually, with the supply of all 240 engines expected to be completed over the next eight years. This will give a boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the government, as HAL will seek support from the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, involving MSMEs and both public and private industries.