Rajnath Singh to Mark 2,000th Aero-Engine Delivery at HAL Koraput on October 6

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to inaugurate a major event at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Koraput Division in Odisha on October 6, 2026, as the facility prepares to deliver its 2,000th aero-engine. The occasion will bring attention to nearly six decades of work by the division in India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing sector.

The milestone will also coincide with the commissioning of a second production line for Shakti engines, backed by an investment of Rs 218 crore. The expanded capacity is meant to meet the increasing requirements of indigenous helicopter platforms, including the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter.

The delivery of the 2,000th aero-engine is being presented as a significant moment in the manufacturing history of HAL’s Koraput Division. Located in Odisha, the unit has long been associated with aero-engine production and has contributed to the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces over the years.

Alongside the delivery milestone, the new Shakti engine production line is expected to strengthen HAL’s ability to support India’s helicopter programmes. The Shakti engine is a key powerplant for indigenous rotary-wing platforms, and the additional line is intended to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity for these aircraft.

The event also reflects the broader government push to move India from being primarily a buyer of defence equipment to becoming a country that designs, develops and manufactures its own systems. Within that strategy, indigenous aero-engine capability is considered especially important because propulsion systems are among the most complex and strategically significant technologies in defence production.

According to the source, the development and production of aero-engines remain an important part of India’s defence manufacturing effort, and the expansion at HAL Koraput is aimed at reinforcing that capability for helicopter platforms in particular.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K will be among those attending the ceremony.

With the inauguration of the second Shakti engine production line and the handing over of the 2,000th aero-engine, the October 6 event will serve both as a milestone for HAL Koraput and as a showcase of its continuing role in India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing base.