Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was manufacturing the aircraft in India when fleet support drew on Russian original-equipment manufacturers for spares and technical assistance.
Maintenance and overhaul continue for decades after induction. That work builds repair knowledge, test infrastructure, skilled employment and demand for domestic suppliers where it is performed.
In 2017, HAL signed five-year agreements with United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation for spares and technical assistance. The agreements carried no technology transfer.
That year, the government sanctioned ₹1,324.33 crore to raise HAL's Su-30MKI repair-and-overhaul capacity from 15 to 20 aircraft a year and aggregate overhaul capacity from 15 to 35 aircraft sets.
In 2024, the Ministry of Defence contracted 240 AL-31FP engines from HAL for more than ₹26,000 crore. HAL's Koraput division will manufacture the engines with indigenous content averaging above 54%, rising to 63% by the end of the programme. The Ministry said the programme will also increase indigenous content in engine repair and overhaul.
DAP 2020 already provides for domestic maintenance capability, lifecycle test facilities and Indian manufacture of spares and components. DPM 2025 permits assured orders of up to five years and beyond in specified indigenisation cases.
For major platforms, the Service and programme organisation must review recurring support sourced abroad as operating demand becomes clear. Move that work into qualified Indian capability when recurring demand can sustain the investment and the capability matters to readiness.
Australia opened a A$200 million facility in 2026 to bring deep maintenance of its P-8A Poseidon fleet onshore. The work had previously required offshore support. From 2028, New Zealand's P-8As are also due to enter the Australian facility for maintenance and repair.
A rare repair does not justify an Indian facility merely to improve an indigenisation percentage. The priority is recurring work with enough demand, operational importance and technical depth to sustain a qualified Indian capability.
Indigenisation must reach the support chain.
