India Rolls Out Indigenously Designed Turbofan Engine For Trainer Aircraft, Helicopters

Indian Defense Minister witnessed the first run of indigenously designed and developed aero engine Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine – HTFE 25 for trainer aircraft and helicopters.

Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar also launched the design and development project of Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE-1200) used for light utility helicopters (Dhruv) at Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL)’s Engine Division Monday.

HAL rolled out 3.5-tonne class HTSE-1200 engine in solo configuration and of 5-8 tonne class in twin configuration of advanced light helicopters like Dhru and light combat helicopters.

“The turboshaft engine develops 1200 kW (kilowatt) power at sea level and can operate up to 7km altitude,” HAL said in a statement

“Efforts should be made to achieve excellence in aeronautical engineering with the participation of HAL and private sector. The aerospace sector, led by HAL has potential to turn India into aerospace manufacturing hub, as the country will require 4,000-6,000 helicopter engines in the coming years,” Parrkiar said.

“The engine can also be used on business jets and five tonne class aircraft in single engine configuration and on aircraft of up to nine tonne class with twin engine configuration,” said HAL chairman and managing director T. Suvarna Raju.

The HTSE project is being funded through internal resources of HAL to design and develop complex aero engines for different types of choppers. “In the first phase, we have covered the engine design, developing and testing it, and will take up its production in the subsequent phases along with testing of the full engine,” Raju said.