HAL Places ₹600 Cr Superalloy Order With MIDHANI for Defence Push

• HAL places ₹600 Cr superalloy order with MIDHANI
• Boosts jet engine self-reliance and supply chain security
• Supports Tejas Mk2 and AMCA engine programs

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has booked a ₹600 crore order with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) for advanced superalloys in a key boost for India's defence manufacturing. This is in line with India's objective of localising important defence items and reducing the defence import bill, especially on importing high-performance materials for jet engines.

Superalloys are critical materials for aerospace because of their strength, heat resistance, and durability, making them ready available for use in jet turbines. Superalloys such as the Russian-origin AL31 engines powering Su-30MKI are still dependent on imported quality superalloy materials for some of its parts. The new order will allow the HAL to source superalloy materials from MIDHANI's domestic manufacturing facilities from where there will be a huge stock of superalloy material made available to the domestic aerospace sector.

The order also includes nickel based superalloys with elements including chromium, titanium, and aluminum, as source have indicated to defence. In addition to nickel based superalloys, MIDHANI will supply cobalt based alloys and titanium composites. These materials are important to make components that operate in extreme operational conditions.

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Due to current global supply chain disruptions, it is essential to have a dependable local supplier. HAL and MIDHANI's collaboration empowers India to take control over the injection of engine components through the supply chain, while offering resilience for more manufacturing options.

The timing of this development is critical. As India prepares to manufacture General Electric's F414 engines for the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet and the impending AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), the urgent domestic availability of superalloys for the engines is required for ongoing production.

This deal will also help bolster indigenisation, provide alternatives to import dependence, and ensure a continual pipeline in India’s aerospace industry. It is a Promising pathway for providing a strategic autonomy for advanced defence systems that aligns with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision of the government.

Sourcing critical materials domestically will allow HAL to reduce the timelines of production, cut costs, and keep a steady path in the future jet engine programs.