HAL, Safran ink pact for chopper engines

BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to establish a support centre in the country for domestic as well as international helicopter customers.  

An agreement to this effect was signed on Monday by D.K. Venkatesh, Director (Engg, and R&D), HAL, and Bruno Even, CEO-Turbomeca, at Farnborough International Airshow, in the presence of T. Suvarna Raju, CMD of HAL and Philippe Petitcolin, CEO of Safran.

The new facility would provide Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines which power HAL-built helicopters. Safran helicopter engines and HAL would provide their customers with first-class service including optimized engine availability, according to HAL.
With over 1000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, the country’s  armed forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines.

Suvarna Raju 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”.

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.”