Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines signed a cooperation agreement for the development of a new engine to power the future Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH). This agreement is a continuation of the memorandum signed on July 8, 2022.
The contract lays the groundwork for the sharing of activities within the joint venture. Specifically, HAL will participate in the design, development, and production of some of the engine’s main components. The IMRH design is already finalized and HAL is awaiting government authorization to advance to the next stages of the program. Total development costs will be in the order of $1.9 billion. The Indian manufacturer anticipates a market of around 400 helicopters, mainly to replace the aging Mil Mi-17s.
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The availability of a domestic engine will make the platform more self-sufficient. It also demonstrates a commitment to the Indian government’s vision of achieving technological independence.
Present at the signing of the agreement were Florent Chauvancy, executive vice president of sales and marketing, and Franck Saudo, general director of Safran Helicopter Engines, while on the HAL side were K. Ramesh, general manager of the aero engine research and design center, and C. B. Ananthakrishnan, general director.
Ananthakrishnan stated that «the joint development of a high-power engine is a new milestone in HAL’s growing capabilities in the industry. We are confident that the engine will meet the stringent requirements of Indian customers.» Saudo added to his peer’s remarks, «We are very pleased to participate in such an important program for the Ministry of Defense. This program will bring many advanced technologies to the Indian aerospace ecosystem and to HAL, and will provide the Indian armed forces with a state-of-the-art aircraft.»
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