Russia renews Izdeliye 177S engine offer for IAF’s Su-30MKI fleet during BRICS: Report
India remains undecided despite having earlier confirmed that the plan is to modernise its Sukhoi fleet rather than purchase more of these jets from Russia
Russia has offered its advanced Izdeliye 117S engine for India's Su-30MKI fleet at BRICS 2026, citing significant performance enhancements and strategic advantages. The Izdeliye 117S features thrust-vectoring control, higher afterburning thrust, and reduced fuel consumption compared to the current engines, potentially offering an edge against rival aircraft. While India is considering the offer, it is strongly emphasizing a demand for at least 80 percent technology transfer and local manufacturing to ensure complete sovereign control over critical engine technologies.
Russia has offered its advanced Izdeliye 117S engine for India's Su-30MKI fleet at BRICS 2026, citing significant performance enhancements and strategic advantages. The Izdeliye 117S features thrust-vectoring control, higher afterburning thrust, and reduced fuel consumption compared to the current engines, potentially offering an edge against rival aircraft. While India is considering the offer, it is strongly emphasizing a demand for at least 80 percent technology transfer and local manufacturing to ensure complete sovereign control over critical engine technologies.
Russia has offered its advanced Izdeliye 117S engine for India's Su-30MKI fleet at BRICS 2026, citing significant performance enhancements and strategic advantages. The Izdeliye 117S features thrust-vectoring control, higher afterburning thrust, and reduced fuel consumption compared to the current engines, potentially offering an edge against rival aircraft. While India is considering the offer, it is strongly emphasizing a demand for at least 80 percent technology transfer and local manufacturing to ensure complete sovereign control over critical engine technologies.
On the sidelines of BRICS 2026 in New Delhi, Russian President Vladimir Putin renewed his offer of the Izdeliye 177S engine for India’s Su-30MKI fleet, a report said.
The Izdeliye 177S (Izdeliye 117S) is a high-performance, two-shaft, low-bypass Russian fighter jet engine model that features thrust-vectoring control (TVC). It lets Sukhois perform extreme, low-speed, high angle-of-attack manoeuvres and significantly enhances both survivability and fuel efficiency during deep-penetration missions.
According to Moscow, the Izdeliye 117S comes with higher afterburning thrust, which could shorten acceleration timelines and strengthen the fighter jet's altitude climb. This would give an edge to Indian Air Force Su-30MKI pilots if they are ever pitted against Chinese-made J-20 or J-16 aircraft, which are becoming mainstays in Pakistani ranks.
Russia also claims that the Izdeliye 117S ensures fuel consumption falls by seven per cent and provides 14,500 kilogram-force of afterburning thrust compared with the 12,500 kilogram-force of the AL-31FP turbofan, which currently powers the IAF's Su-30MKIs. In September, the Ministry of Defence awarded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) a contract to manufacture 240 new AL-31FP engines, another report said.
Following President Putin's New Delhi visit in December last year, Russia had reportedly approved a Transfer of Technology (ToT) arrangement that will let India manufacture Su-57E engines. As per the agreement between the two time-tested allies, India will be allowed to integrate its own weapons into the system.
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Despite the renewed push, India has not made a decision on the Izdeliye 177S, as the proposal remains under New Delhi's evaluation, reports said. "New Delhi has demanded at least 80 per cent technology transfer, local manufacturing, and development testing inside India, reflecting concerns that nominal assembly sovereignty remains incomplete when turbine blades, hot-section components, and other critical technologies still depend upon Russian supply," Defence Security Asia said in a report.
Reports from last year also stated that Moscow has agreed to let India's preferred weapon systems—including Astra beyond-visual-range missiles and BrahMos cruise missiles—be integrated into Su-30MKIs.