Impetus to Make-in-India: HAL and Safran to form JV in India to Support Indian Helicopter Operators

By IDR News Network

Issue Net Edition | Date : 12 Jul , 2016

Mr D.K. Venkatesh, Director (Engg, and R&D) (extreme left), HAL and Mr Bruno Even, CEO-Turbomeca (extreme right), exchanging the agreement for establishing a helicopter engine MRO support centre in India at the ongoing Farnborough International Air Show (July 11-17, 2016) on July 11, 2016. Mr T. Suvarna Raju, CMD-HAL (second from right) and Mr Philippe Petitcolin, CEO-Safran are also seen.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to establish a support centre in India for national and international rotorcraft customers. An agreement to this effect was signed yesterday by Mr D.K. Venkatesh, Director (Engg, and R&D), HAL and Mr. Bruno Even, CEO-Turbomeca, at the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow (July 11-17, 2016) in the presence of Mr T. Suvarna Raju, CMD-HAL and Mr. Philippe Petitcolin, CEO-Safran.

This new centre will provide Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines that powers HAL-built helicopters. Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL will provide their customers with a first-class service including optimized engine availability.

With over 1000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India’s armed forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines. Shakti is the Indian designation for the Safran’s Ardiden 1, co-developed with HAL and produced under license.

Group photograph of the top officials from HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines during the agreement signing event for establishing a helicopter engine MRO support centre in India at the ongoing Farnborough International Air Show (July 11-17, 2016) on July 11, 2016.

Mr. T Suvarna Raju, CMD-HAL said, “The JV reflects the close relationship established over many years between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines. It places both partners on an ambitious path towards world-beating customer support in the field of engine MRO. The joint venture will provide the impetus for the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative since around 1000 Shakti engines are likely to fly in the coming years”.

Mr. Serge Maillé, Safran Helicopter Engines Executive Vice President for Strategy and Development, commented “this joint venture marks a new step in the long-lasting and fruitful partnership between Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL. We are extremely proud of the continued confidence placed on us by HAL. Together we are committed to delivering world-class support to our customers, both in India and throughout the region”.

Shakti is fitted to HAL’s ALH-Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) and has been selected to power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine chopper under development is also fitted with a Turbomeca engine.