India launches second Shakti engine line to boost domestic helicopter propulsion
HAL will add a second Shakti engine production line at its Koraput plant, with a ₹218 crore investment, as India expands its aero-engine capacity for indigenous helicopters.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd plans to establish a second Shakti engine production line at its Koraput, Odisha site, backed by a ₹218 crore outlay. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the line and celebrate the facility’s 2,000th aero-engine delivery. The new line will support the expanding needs of indigenous helicopters such as the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv and the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, which are part of a ₹62,700 crore MoD contract for 156 aircraft.
Deliveries of the Prachand are slated to start in the third year of a five-year schedule. The Shakti programme, a collaboration between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines, will produce the Indian-built Ardiden 1H1 turboshaft engine. The move underscores India’s push to increase domestic propulsion capability and indigenous content across defence projects.
Why it matters
Expanding domestic engine production strengthens India’s self-reliance in defence and supports a major helicopter procurement programme.
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