India Boosts Defence with Rs 600 Cr HAL-MIDHANI Superalloy Deal

In a major step towards the building of indigenous jet engine manufacturing capabilities for India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has ordered a Rs. 600 crore value of high-performance superalloys with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), reports Alpha Defense.

The action is a strategic fit for India's goal of less dependency on foreign sources for key engine materials, especially in the context of rising geopolitical tensions and global supply chain pressures.

The agreement will power engines such as the Russian AL31, which operates Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. Despite being produced in India, such engines have so far relied on enormous imports of alloy parts, and it is this weakness that the new agreement intends to cover.

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Superalloys, especially nickel-based chromium, aluminum, and titanium-rich superalloys, play a crucial role in various high-performance jet plane engines because of their strength, heat resistance, and life. MIDHANI, which is India's major supplier of such materials, also produces cobalt-based alloys and titanium composite material, which gives it a secure and diversified local base.

This is a milestone in India's march towards self-sufficiency in defence production. HAL and MIDHANI, through the creation of an indigenous supply chain for superalloys, are ensuring the next generation of Indian fighter engines, including the upcoming GE F414-powered Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The program will generate three significant deliverables, substituting imported material with indigenous equivalents, reinforcing Indian control of engine supply chains, and creating core capabilities for future strategic programs.