Safran Helicopter Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed an agreement for the joint development of an engine intended for the future 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter and its naval version, the Deck Based Multi-Role Helicopter.
The agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2022. Under the terms, HAL will take part in the design, development, and production of some of the engine’s core components. The availability of an indigenous engine is in line with India’s policy of achieving self-reliance, including in defense technologies.
HAL and Safran will continue to work on the development of the joint venture in the coming months. Both partners also agreed on conditions for transferring manufacturing rights for seven critical forgings and castings to HAL, further enhancing indigenous content in the Shakti engine for the Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter programs.
Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Franck Saudo said his company is “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.”