India’s Indian Air Force (IAF) is advancing its Super Sukhoi upgrade program for the Su-30MKI jets, exploring indigenous enhancements to the existing AL-31F engines amid Russian offers for advanced engines like the AL-41F-1S. The focus on self-reliance involves leveraging the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) program to improve thrust and engine life. Although Russia offers promising engines with better performance, India aims to integrate indigenous technologies to reduce dependency and costs. This strategic move underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities while supporting its Make in India initiative, potentially transforming its air combat readiness for the long term.