Midhani for Composite Raw Materials, GE Aviation for Aerospace Forgings

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed development and production agreements with Midhani and General Electric at AERO India on 4 February.

The Midhani agreement covers the development and production of composite raw materials – the first time an agreement has been inked for such materials. HAL will focus significant effort in this area, according to Chairman and Managing Director, R Madhavan – aiming to indigenize the production of such materials (mainly in the form of prepregs) currently imported for programmes such as the LCA, ALH, LCH and LUH. Currently, there is no approved Indian supplier for such materials for aviation applications, while forecasts are for a considerable increase in consumption for industrial uses as well as for the requirements of such government organizations as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).

An agreement was also concluded with GE Aviation for development and supply of ring forgings for military and commercial engine programmes. The five-year contract, valued at over INR100 crore (€11.5 million) involves supplying both steel and nickel alloy forgings for shrouds, cases, rings and seals. The contract, which fully supports both ‘Make in India’ and the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) strategies, followed HAL’s successful bidding in GE’s global request for quotations.

The ring forgings will be manufactured the company’s Foundry and Forge Division in Bangalore. After a rigorous audit, the division has obtained GE Aviation approvals for its quality system and special processes. It specializes in seamless rolled rings in aluminium, nickel and titanium alloys and various grades of steel for civil and military aero-engines and space applications.