News MRO
Safran, HAL to form joint venture company to develop helicopter engines in India

Safran Helicopter Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are setting up a joint venture company in Bangalore, India, that will be dedicated to the design, development, production, sales and support of helicopter engines. This joint venture, which developed from a July 2022 Memorandum of Understanding and additional workshare agreement made during Aero India 2023, will be India’s first engine design and manufacturing in house.

The first objective of the partnership is to build an adequate propulsion solution for the Indian Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) future 13-ton IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) and its naval version DBMRH (Deck Based Multi-Role Helicopter).

“We at Safran Helicopter Engines are truly elated to partner with HAL and India to craft this new turboshaft engine joint venture set to address the Indian market and also future export opportunities,” said Cedric Goubet, CEO, Safran Helicopter Engines. “It marks a turning point in not only the longstanding relationship between our two companies but also between India and France.”

Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL already have multiple successful partnerships on helicopter powerplants, including the Shakti engine, which powers HAL-produced helicopters, comprising the Dhruv, Rudra and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH Prachand). More than 500 Shakti engines have already been produced.

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