Safran and HAL to Set Up Helicopter Engine Plant in India

France’s Safran Helicopter Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have decided to establish a helicopter engine plant in Bangalore, India.

It will be intended for the design, development, production, sale and support of helicopter engines, with the primary objective of the most suitable propulsion system for the future IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) helicopter of 13t of the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and its naval version DBMRH (Deck Based Multi-Role Helicopter).

It will be India's first helicopter engine design and manufacturing company.

This decision follows a memorandum of understanding signed on July 8, 2022 and an agreement on the division of activities concluded during the last Aero India show in February 2023.

Cédric Goubet, President of Safran Helicopter Engines, said: "We are delighted to partner with HAL and India to create this new joint venture of helicopter engines intended for both the Indian market and for export.”

Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL have already established several partnerships in the field of helicopter engines, in particular the Shakti engine, which powers the helicopters produced by HAL, in particular the Dhruv, the Rudra and the light combat helicopter (LCH). More than 500 Shakti engines have already been produced.

Through the HE-MRO joint venture in Goa, Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL will also provide MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services for the TM333 and Shakti engines in service with the Indian Armed Forces.