HAL Selects SAFHAL to Develop and Produce “Aravalli” Engines for its 13-ton Helicopter
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and SAFHAL signed an airframer contract to commence joint design, development, manufacture, supply, and support of a new-generation high-power engine named “Aravalli” for the 13-ton Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) being designed by HAL on 30 August 2024. The engine is named after the Aravalli mountain range in India, symbolising its intended use in India’s mountainous regions.
SAFHAL is a joint venture between French Safran Helicopter Engines SAS and HAL dedicated to the design, development, production, sales, and support of next-generation helicopter engines in India. This collaboration involves employees from both parent companies working on state-of-the-art design, advanced manufacturing processes, and rigorous testing protocols to meet the highest global standards.
HAL – Safran Helicopter Engine division partnership dates back to over five decades starting with Artouste engines used in Cheetah and Chetak. Currently, Ardiden 1H1 Shakti co-developed by Safran and HAL is now in production, designated Shakti. Shakti and its variants power the several helicopter offerings by HAL like ALH Dhruv, LCH Prachand and LUH. More than 500 Shakti engines have been produced so far.
Safran and HAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 8 July 2022 to establish a new aero-engine company in India to design and develop aero-engines. Workshare agreement for the joint development of the new engine for IMRH/DBMRH was signed on 15 February 2023. This came as a breakthrough as both parties agreed on an equivalent repartition in the development of new engines where HAL will take part in the design, development, and production of some of the core engine components, a first for the HAL – Safran partnership. This led to the incorporation of the joint venture named “SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd.” registered in India on 9 November 2023. The engines will be designed to operate in a wide range of challenging environments ranging from the hot Thar desert to the high altitude ranges of Ladakh.
IMRH
3D render of HAL’s IMRH (HAL Photo)
Indian Multi-Role Helicopter is a new 13-ton helicopter being designed by HAL to meet the requirements of the Indian armed forces. A 12.5-ton naval version is also being developed for the Indian Navy under “Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter”. HAL has internally sanctioned 4,000 crore INR ($480 million) for the development of IMRH and its naval variant. IMRH is intended to replace the fleet of over 370 Mi-17 helicopters due for phased retirement from 2029 onwards. The Indian armed forces have shown interest in procuring over 400 of these 13-ton helicopters, with the Indian Air Force planning to buy 353 IMRH and the Indian Navy buying 66 DBMRH.