HAL and Safran sign contract to develop high-power Aravalli engine for new Indian helicopters
HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines have finalized a joint-venture agreement to design and produce the Aravalli turboshaft engine for India’s upcoming 13-tonne multi-role helicopters.
Defence public sector unit HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed the final contract with their joint venture Safhal Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd to create a new high-power turboshaft engine called Aravalli. The agreement, signed by HAL’s director of engineering and R&D Ajay Kumar Shrivastava and Safran’s director Olivier Savin, includes design, development, manufacturing, supply and lifecycle support for an engine in the 3,500-4,000 shp class.
Aravalli will equip the proposed 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH) version, and may also serve civil aviation roles such as offshore transport and VVIP travel. HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K emphasized the deal’s importance for India’s aero-engine self-sufficiency, while Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cedric Goubet called it a new phase in Franco-Indian cooperation. The programme is also expected to foster domestic maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities.
Why it matters
The deal advances India's ability to produce indigenous engines for future military and civilian helicopters.
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