Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Turbomeca (Safran) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ongoing Paris Air Show, to establish a Joint Venture (JV) in India. The JV will support customers in India as well as other countries.

In addition, the JV will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul for Turbomeca and HAL engines installed on HAL-produced helicopters. Therefore, the engine fleet which will be addressed is the TM333 and Shakti engines. Together, Turbomeca and HAL intend to offer their Indian customers a first-class service, with the goal of optimising engine availability.

Customer service

Commenting on the MoU, T Suvarna Raju, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, said: “The partnership reflects the close relationship established over the years between HAL and Turbomeca. This MoU places HAL and Turbomeca on a path of future partnership towards customer support in the field of engine MRO.” Franck Saudo, Turbomeca Vice-President (Support and Services), said: “This JV is a new step in a long-lasting partnership. We are extremely proud of the confidence placed in us by HAL. We are committed to offer world-class support to customers.”

With a fleet of over 1,000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India’s armed forces are the largest operator of Turbomeca-designed engines in the country. Shakti is the Indian designation of the Turbomeca Ardiden 1, co-developed with HAL, and produced under license.

This JV is expected to boost the ‘Make-in-India’ drive, considering the forecast that around 1,000 Shakti engines will be flying in India over the coming years.

Shakti is fitted to HAL’s ALH/Dhruv rotorcraft. Over the past years, the engine has been selected to power the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and the new, HAL-designed LUH (Light Utility Helicopter), a three-ton single-engine aircraft under development.

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