HAL and SAFHAL Partner to Power India's Next-Gen Helicopters with 'Aravalli' Engine

In a move to bolster India's indigenous defence capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd (SAFHAL) have inked a pact to develop the 'Aravalli' engine, a high-power propulsion system set to drive India's next-generation helicopters.

The engine, named after the iconic Aravalli mountain range, will be the powerhouse behind the 13-ton Medium Lift Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval counterpart, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). Both of these advanced helicopters are under development by HAL.

The partnership underscores India's ambition to become self-reliant in critical defence technologies, a vision encapsulated in the term 'Aatmanirbharta.' The Aravalli engine is a significant step towards realizing this vision, promising to equip Indian Armed Forces with cutting-edge helicopter capabilities.

The contract was signed by S Anbuvelan, CEO of HAL’s Helicopter Complex; Olivier Savin, Director of SAFHAL Helicopter Engines and EVP of Sales and Marketing at Safran Helicopter Engines; and SK Mehta, Director of SAFHAL Helicopter Engines and Executive Director of Finance at HAL.

HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, CB Ananthakrishnan, hailed the collaboration as a landmark achievement in India's aerospace and defence sectors. He stated, "This collaboration will not only boost the capabilities of the IMRH and DBMRH helicopters but also help India develop its own defence technologies."

Cedric Goubet, CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the long-standing partnership between Safran and HAL. “We are proud to work with HAL on this important project. Our long-standing partnership is growing stronger, and together, we will contribute to India’s aerospace industry,” he said.

SAFHAL, a joint venture between Safran Helicopter Engines (France) and HAL, specializes in the development of advanced helicopter engines in India. This project aligns with the joint venture's goal to promote self-reliance in engine technology within the country.

The development of the Aravalli engine will involve cutting-edge design methodologies, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, and rigorous testing protocols. The goal is to produce an engine that adheres to the highest global standards, capable of operating in diverse and challenging environments.

Beyond military applications, the Aravalli engine is also envisioned to serve civilian markets. Potential applications include offshore operations, VIP transport, and utility services. The collaboration further extends to encompass maintenance and repair activities, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the engine's lifecycle.

This new project represents the latest chapter in the long-standing relationship between Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL. Safran's engines have powered HAL's helicopter fleet for decades, starting with the Cheetah and Chetak and continuing with the Shakti engine used in the ALH and LCH helicopters.

The HAL-SAFHAL collaboration signifies a major leap forward in India's quest for self-sufficiency in high-power engine technology. The Aravalli engine promises to enhance the operational capabilities of India's next-generation helicopters, contributing to a stronger and more independent defence infrastructure.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

An engine from scratch or adaptation of Aneto1H.

 

[Sunny]

Finally progress on IMRH and DBMRH has started to take shape. Hopefully if we achieve the set timeliness then it will be right on time to replace IAF MI-17. The Navy will also get a capable replacement for the old Seaking.

 

[sanket]

DBMRH version should have capable of powering 15 Ton, Instead of developing common Engine which would power 13 Ton chopper

 

[ryan]

Another Screwdriver Gig for HAL Helicopter division with 0% ToT ensuring safe retirement plan for the next 10 years

 

[desigandu]

Good, 2 questions - 1. when will the new engine be ready after development and testing for scale production; 2. Besides the IMRH and naval version are we/should we think of an armed/attack version better than the AH64E apaches…If so when can that be possible? Can we get all this done say by 2030, for limited production to start of all 3. versions to start right after?

 

[sanket]

Another Screwdriver Gig for HAL Helicopter division with 0% ToT ensuring safe retirement plan for the next 10 years

Get updated first its JV to co-develop with IPR to remain with HAL

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Good, 2 questions - 1. when will the new engine be ready after development and testing for scale production; 2. Besides the IMRH and naval version are we/should we think of an armed/attack version better than the AH64E apaches…If so when can that be possible? Can we get all this done say by 2030, for limited production to start of all 3. versions to start right after?

Like LCH is based on Rudra platform , Attack version of IMRH will be based on IMRH but with different body but most of systems will remain similar in both platforms..

There is currently no requirement of Heavy weight Attack helicopter and it's better to focus on only 2 projects at a time..

Focus should be on IMRH as it has great chances to replace Mi-17 fleets of other nations too..

2030 is too early for limited production, MI-17 are slated to be start retiring from 2034 onwards , so We can assume that IMRH will go into limited production by 2032..

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Finally progress on IMRH and DBMRH has started to take shape. Hopefully if we achieve the set timeliness then it will be right on time to replace IAF MI-17. The Navy will also get a capable replacement for the old Seaking.

Only after engine deal , now it can go smoothly.. As there are no more requirements from a foreign vendor

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Another Screwdriver Gig for HAL Helicopter division with 0% ToT ensuring safe retirement plan for the next 10 years

Bro you are so early here , please finish your economics & General Knowledge classes at school. And do your home work also , lemme me also give you some task : Learn about IMRH program & Write it's progress report

 

[Praveen]

HAL is already doing R&D for 2 engines STFE-1200 and HTFE-25 and doing tests with the technology demonstrator. They are already using other alternatives for these engines for the aircraft development. This is commendable atleast compared to certain company that starts with the letter A and ends with letter i which literally doing 🪛 in every project just like hermes-900 and others, there is no R&D in it at all. HAL is a PSU. Generally in PSUs in every country is just like this not just India. China is also the same too in PSU, it's just covered because they are not leaked out and only a select few gangster PSUs are operating good in CCP. HAL has atleast did this much, when every High ups will screw them from behind just like what happened to BSNL. We should not always blame them for everything. Oh by the way STFE-1200 is the alternative engine for Turbomecca Shakti, it is 150kw higher in power compared to the current ones installed with peak power of 1200kw and in high altitude trials it has delivered upto 80% powder in Leh.

 

[Praveen]

Good, 2 questions - 1. when will the new engine be ready after development and testing for scale production; 2. Besides the IMRH and naval version are we/should we think of an armed/attack version better than the AH64E apaches…If so when can that be possible? Can we get all this done say by 2030, for limited production to start of all 3. versions to start right after?

Bro good questions - the answer is there is an alternative engine they selected from Safran for the prototype development and testing of IMRH. Only transport version similar to mi-17 is going on with both Navy and airforce in mind with 2 versions. Even this development and testing will take long time - so no rush.The attack version is currently only on paper and in dream. IA(Import Army) should just go for foreign garbage and pick a select few from which they can get big lump of money into their own pockets.IA will dig a big pit for those who do some serious R&D and bury them alive so never support IA. Seriously it's reputation is getting lower and lower and there is no limit for how low they can get. The things they do are ought right disgusting that I want to puke.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a brilliant deal. Now we can design, develop and manufacture a brand new helicopter engine deal for around 12–15T. This will allow us to learn more, be taught, materials needed, machinery requirements, metallurgy needed. Also it’s best that a private company makes it as HAL would take longer.

 

[Sunil Choan]

This is a brilliant deal. Now we can design, develop and manufacture a brand new helicopter engine deal for around 12–15T. This will allow us to learn more, be taught, materials needed, machinery requirements, metallurgy needed. Also it’s best that a private company makes it as HAL would take longer.

Will babus allow privatisation corruption has limits

 

[Sunil Choan]

Like LCH is based on Rudra platform , Attack version of IMRH will be based on IMRH but with different body but most of systems will remain similar in both platforms..

There is currently no requirement of Heavy weight Attack helicopter and it's better to focus on only 2 projects at a time..

Focus should be on IMRH as it has great chances to replace Mi-17 fleets of other nations too..

2030 is too early for limited production, MI-17 are slated to be start retiring from 2034 onwards , so We can assume that IMRH will go into limited production by 2032..

11 more yrs are we living in FOOLS Paradise? Take as long you want and do not worry about costs?

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

11 more yrs are we living in FOOLS Paradise? Take as long you want and do not worry about costs?

IMRH is currently in design phase , CCS approval is pending. Only after CCS approval, work on prototype will start..

India mai sab projects ki funding aur acquisition late hori to Isme private aur DPSUs kya kre ? TATA WHAP orders ka wait krra , Artillery wait krri...

CCS approval is saal mil jaaye to 2032 tak limited production Varna 2032 bhi bhool jaao

 

[Sandeep]

Will babus allow privatisation corruption has limits

This will be a private company and this will make things easier and better. By developing a brand new engine with Safran we get to learn how to design, develop and manufacture advanced engines. Nobody else will give such a deal and it helps our military as there is a huge requirement of engines.

 

[Rajesh]

New engine or based on old doesn't matter much if the ip shared and manufacturing of this engine is done 💯 percent in india. A good move by the govt . We should also go for similar deal for safran m88-3 engine which should be used for rafale and tejas and if possible on tedbf if nothing serious happens with amca engine soon. Safran has done some work on their m88 engine derivatives like 3&4 . Finally we won't see the similar type of delays (mk1a due to engines from amerika) in our imrh program esp when they have made a deal to procure 6 engines for testing imrh .