Koraput: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described self-reliance in aero-engine technology as the foundation of India’s aerospace sovereignty as HAL’s Koraput division at Sunabeda rolled out its 2,000th aero-engine, marking six decades of propulsion manufacturing.Witnessing the milestone in the presence of Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Singh announced a Rs 218-crore second production line for Shakti helicopter engines at Sunabeda. The new line, scheduled to be fully established by 2028-29, will have the capacity to manufacture up to 100 engines annually for indigenous helicopters, including Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).“Self-reliance in aero-engines is the foundation of India’s complete aerospace sovereignty,” Singh said, calling for strengthening indigenous capabilities in engine design, development, testing, manufacturing and maintenance.Congratulating the engineers, technicians and workforce of HAL Koraput, Singh said the delivery of the 2,000th engine represented 2,000 contributions to the operational capability of the armed forces. Established in 1964, the division has played a key role in India’s military aviation programme, with its engines powering frontline aircraft such as the MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.Besides manufacturing engines, HAL Koraput has overhauled more than 9,000 aero-engines. Singh said overhaul was equally important as production as it extends the operational life of critical defence assets and strengthens military preparedness.HAL will also raise its annual production capacity of AL-31FP engines from 30 to 50 with an investment of Rs 335 crore. The govt had placed an order for 240 AL-31FP engines for the Su-30MKI in 2024. Despite global supply-chain disruptions and raw-material challenges, HAL has delivered 63 engines against a target of 60 by the end of the second year.Describing the aero-engine as the “heart” of an aircraft, Singh said India needed to master advanced materials, metallurgy, precision manufacturing, cooling technologies, testing and quality assurance to achieve self-reliance in aerospace propulsion.He said the govt was pursuing an indigenous high-thrust engine programme, particularly for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with an investment of around Rs 5,000 crore. The programme includes indigenisation of raw materials in partnership with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) and establishment of India’s first indigenous high-thrust engine testing facility.Singh urged HAL to transform Koraput into a broader aerospace propulsion hub by developing suppliers, mentoring MSMEs, encouraging start-ups and collaborating with universities and research institutions.Highlighting Odisha’s growing strategic importance, Singh referred to the proposed Aerospace and Defence Equipment Manufacturing Complex at Gajamara in Dhenkanal. He said the Hindustan Shipyard Limited facility at Visakhapatnam and the new Shakti engine production line at Sunabeda would together strengthen eastern India’s industrial and strategic identity.Singh also called upon HAL Koraput to raise standards in quality, productivity, indigenisation and innovation, saying the 2,000th engine should serve as a foundation for building a stronger indigenous aerospace industry.