Extends Existing Cooperation and Seeks New Opportunities

France’s Safran Helicopter Engines and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed an MoU to extend their co-operation and explore opportunities for new helicopter engines in both civil and military markets.

The MoU, which reflects the companies’ commitments to New Delhi’s goal of making India self-reliant in defence-related technologies and services, was signed during a ground-breaking ceremony for the companies’ new joint venture facility – Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt Ltd (HE-MRO) – at Sattari in Goa.

“The 1,000sqm training and office facility, and a 3,800sqm international class shop facility, will provide MRO services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters to increase the operational readiness of the Indian armed forces,” said HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Shri R Madhavan. HE-MRO will be operational by the end of 2023, with a capacity to repair 50 engines per year and a full-capacity goal of 150 engines, noted Safran, adding that the capacity could also be expanded in the future to include other engines.

Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Franck Saudo said the facility will play a key role in supporting New Delhi’s vision for aerospace MRO in India. “Thanks to this joint venture, we will support all HAL helicopters legacy programmes, while the MoU opens new perspectives to strengthen further our partnership with HAL directly or through such joint venture on future helicopter engine technologies and platforms.”

The Indian military is one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines, with over 1,000 in service, including 250 TM333 and more than 500 Shakti engines. The manufacturer has also provided all the engines powering HAL-produced helicopters.

Co-developed with HAL, the Shakti engine is the Indian variant of the Safran Ardiden 1H1. The engine is installed on HAL’s Dhruv and Rudra helicopters, and has also been selected to power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The Ardiden 1U variant powers India’s new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH): a 3t single-engine aircraft. The engine was certified by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation last July.