Safran Helicopter Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a workshare agreement and will jointly develop the engine for the 13 tonne Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) and its naval version deck-based multi-role helicopter (DBMRH).
The agreement comes in the wake of the MoU signed on July 8 last year, which stipulates sharing of activities within the joint venture where both parties have agreed on an equivalent repartition.
In particular, HAL will be primarily responsible for the design, development, and production of some of the core engine components, which is a breakthrough achievement in terms of expertise and know-how in the country.
The workshare agreement was signed by Florent Chauvancy, Safran Helicopter Engines EVP Sales and Marketing, and K Ramesh, General Manager, HAL Aero Engine Research and Design Centre, in the presence of C B Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL and Franck Saudo, CEO, Safran Helicopter Engines.
The development of the IMRH is on and a one-third scale model was displayed by HAL at Aero India 2023. The HAL is also discussing the operational requirements for the new helicopters with the Indian armed forces.
Availability of an indigenous engine will demonstrate self-reliance and the commitment of both Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL to the Indian government's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', or achieving self-reliance-- particularly in defence technologies.
C B Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL, said, "The joint development of high power engine is a new milestone in HAL's ever-growing capabilities in the sector. With a competent partner like Safran Helicopter Engines, we are confident of making the engine meet the highly stringent and demanding requirements of Indian defence customers."
Franck Saudo, CEO, Safran Helicopter Engines said, "We are very proud to be associated with such an important program of HAL and very happy to once again support HAL, our partner for decades. While this program will bring many advanced technologies to the Indian aerospace ecosystem and to HAL, it will also provide the Indian armed forces with state-of-the-art solutions."
Safran and HAL will continue their joint venture in the coming months, as part of which they will not only develop the engine for IMRH, but also other helicopters.
Safran Helicopter Engine has also agreed on the condition for the transfer right to HAL for manufacturing of seven critical forging and casting raw parts, for further enhancement of indigenous content (IC) in Shakti engine of ALH/ LCH.
(With inputs from agencies)