Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed a contract with SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd for the design, development, manufacture and lifecycle support of new high-power helicopter engine, Aravalli. The turboshaft, in the 3,500 to 4,000 shp class, has been selected to power HAL's 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).

The contract was signed by Ajay Kumar Shrivastava, Director Engineering, Research & Development at HAL, and Olivier Savin, Director of SAFHAL Helicopter Engines and Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Safran Helicopter Engines. The signing ceremony was presided over by K Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, and Cédric Goubet, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Helicopter Engines.

SAFHAL, a joint venture between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines SAS, will draw on the expertise of both parent companies to develop the engine. Beyond the IMRH and DBMRH military programmes, Aravalli is also aimed at civil applications including offshore transport, utility missions and VVIP transport, and is expected to support the growth of indigenous MRO capability in India.

Ravi says: “This contract is a significant step in India's pursuit of self-reliance in aero-engine technology and will underpin both the IMRH and DBMRH.”

Goubet adds: “This is the first time we have taken up such a class of engine as co-development and we remain committed to supporting our customers in India.”

The Aravalli programme builds on a long-standing relationship between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines, dating back to the Artouste engines that powered the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Safran engines also power HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Light Utility Helicopter under the Shakti family.