Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and French engine-maker Safran’s joint venture (JV) will commence the development of the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and Deck-based Multi-Role Helicopter (DB-MRH) next month.
During an interview with Hindustan Times, HAL Chief CB Ananthakrishnan revealed that the HAL and Safran JV for helicopter engine development will become operational in the coming month.
The joint venture will be headquartered at HAL’s helicopter production facility in Tumkur, Karnataka.
Safran and HAL will have a 50:50 work-share.
Further, CB Ananthakrishnan also expressed his expectations for engine production within the next four years.
Noteworthy, these engines will be for the Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) and its deck-based version.
The demand for these state-of-the-art engines is estimated at around 400 units.
HAL envisions producing up to 90 helicopters of various types annually in Tumkur, a mix of LCH, light utility helicopters and IMRH.
Subsequently, IMRH could go into production with the new engine by 2031.
Earlier, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France in July, the deal to jointly develop next-generation turboshaft helicopter was announced.
It is worth mentioning that HAL and Safran have already signed a work-share agreement during Aero India 2023 in February 2023, to jointly develop these new-generation turboshaft engine.
Both companies will hold equal equity in the joint venture company and will share intellectual property rights (IPR) of the engine equally.
