The existing relationship between HAL and Safran has given rise to the excellent Shakti engine which powers three successful helicopters built by HAL
By Vikas Gupta
Defence News of India, 9 Jul 22
Among the most groundbreaking technological successes achieved by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) are its single-engine and twin-engine helicopters – in the first segment, the eponymous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH); and in the latter segment, the advanced light helicopter Dhruv (ALH), the attack helicopter Rudra and the light combat helicopter (LCH).
Common to all these helicopters is the remarkable Shakti engine, powerful enough to propel them to the dizzying heights of Kargil, or the Saltoro Ridge, where the Indian Army is deployed in positions like Sonam and Bana Top, at altitudes greater than 20,000 feet.
For soldiers in these positions, the arrival of a helicopter could mean the difference between freezing or hot, evacuating casualties or lung failure – in fact, life or death.
On Friday, their prospects for survival were boosted when HAL signed a deal with French engine maker Safran Helicopter Engines to create a new joint venture (JV) that will develop helicopter engines for India’s future needs.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by R Madhavan, Chairman and CEO of HAL, and Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines, a statement stated: “Both partners will extend their longstanding partnership by establishing a new aero-engine company in India. It will be dedicated to the development, production, sale and support of helicopter engines and one of its main objectives will be to meet the needs of future helicopters of HAL and the Ministry of Defense, including the IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) of 13 tons. .”
“This MoU demonstrates once again the commitment of Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL to the Government of India’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ or achieving self-reliance – particularly in defense technologies,” HAL said.
“Safran Helicopter Engines has been our valued partner for several decades. We now look forward to using this opportunity to leverage HAL’s experience in manufacturing over 15 types of aircraft and helicopter engines to co-develop and jointly manufacture engines with an immediate focus on ‘IMRH and its naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH),” Madhavan said.
“We are proud to further extend our structuring partnership with HAL, initiated more than 50 years ago, and which has recently been illustrated with the development and production of the Shakti engine and the inauguration of our Helicopter Engines joint venture. MRO Pvt Limited (HE-MRO). With a fleet of over 1,000 engines, the Indian Armed Forces is one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines,” Saudo said.
“HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines already have multiple partnerships, including the Shakti engine, which powers the helicopters produced by HAL, including the Dhruv, Rudra and LCH. The Ardiden 1U variant (of the Shakti engine) also powers the new LUH. More than 500 Shakti motors have already been produced,” HAL said.
Through the HE-MRO joint venture in Goa, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines will also provide MRO services for the TM333 and Shakti engines already in service with the Indian Army. It will be operational at the end of 2023, indicates a joint HAL-Safran press release.
