The recent developments concerning the Su-57E fighter jet engine technology mark a significant milestone for India’s aerospace and defence ambitions.

Following President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi, Russia has reportedly granted India a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement, enabling Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Koraput in Odisha to manufacture the Izdeliye 177S engines. 

This move positions India alongside Russia, the US, and China as one of the few countries with indigenous capability to produce fifth-generation fighter propulsion systems.

The engine in question, the Izdeliye 177S, is a highly advanced two-shaft, low-bypass turbofan engine equipped with thrust-vectoring control (TVC).

This technology provides the Su-57 with exceptional low-speed and high angle-of-attack manoeuvrability, enhancing survivability and fuel efficiency during complex missions. Such attributes are critical for deep-penetration strike roles that modern air forces require for strategic advantage.

The ability to locally manufacture these engines not only supports the Su-57E platform but also has important implications for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing fleet, particularly the Su-30MKI.

With the 177S engine offering a potential thrust increase of 15–18 percent over the current AL-31FP engines, alongside improvements in reliability and life-cycle costs, it opens the door for future fleet-wide upgrades. This could significantly boost the combat effectiveness and maintenance efficiency of the IAF’s frontline fighters.

Reports indicate that HAL Koraput’s facilities will undergo audits starting in early 2026, followed by joint prototype engine integration with Russian assistance projected for 2028. Full serial production is anticipated by 2029, aligning these timelines with the expected induction of Su-57E aircraft and the flight testing milestones for India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) MK-1. This synchronisation is crucial to India’s ambitions for self-reliance in next-generation fighter technology.

The ToT agreement is comprehensive, including not just manufacturing rights but full access to production drawings, process documentation, and test-bed methodologies.

This means India will gain mastery over the entire engine lifecycle management, from fabrication to maintenance. Such an arrangement far surpasses earlier, more restrictive technology sharing, where sensitive sub-systems were compartmentalised, limiting full operational autonomy.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of this technology transfer is the explicit inclusion of advanced manufacturing techniques. India will receive expertise in the production of single-crystal turbine blades, which are essential for high thermal efficiency and durability under extreme temperatures.

Also included are thermal barrier coatings that enable the turbine inlet to withstand temperatures near 1,800 degrees Celsius and fully integrated digital FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) systems with hydromechanical redundancy. These technologies represent a leap forward in indigenous engine manufacturing capabilities.

The integration of India's preferred indigenous weapon systems into the Su-57E platform is another key feature of the agreement. Russia has reportedly allowed the incorporation of India’s Astra beyond-visual-range missiles and BrahMos cruise missiles.

This strategic flexibility enhances India’s ability to tailor the fighter jet's offensive capabilities to its operational needs and strengthens synergy among domestic defence systems.

For India, this development is not merely about acquiring a new engine but also about building a technological foundation integral to the success of the AMCA program.

Propulsion has long been a critical bottleneck in India’s quest for fifth-generation fighter design, and the access to such advanced engine manufacturing technology could unlock new indigenous advancements. This positions the country favourably in the global defence manufacturing landscape.

Altogether, the final handover of production autonomy to HAL will be phased, with initial stages closely supervised jointly by Indian and Russian teams.

Over time, as indigenous content thresholds are met and manufacturing maturity is achieved, HAL will assume full operational control. This measured transition ensures quality and reliability without compromising the stringent standards required for a fifth-generation fighter engine.

Russia’s approval to transfer Su-57E engine technology to HAL Koraput is a watershed moment for India’s defence industrial base. It not only enhances the IAF’s current and future combat capabilities but also significantly advances India’s status as a producer of cutting-edge fighter propulsion systems.

The move underscores the deepening defence cooperation between India and Russia and signals a new era of technological independence in the aerospace domain.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)