HAL's HTSE-1200 Turbo-shaft Engine to Power 3-6 Ton Helicopters by Mid-2025 as Fabrication of 5 Engines Started

In a major boost to India's indigenous aerospace capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is making significant strides in the development of its HTSE-1200 turboshaft engine.

Designed to power medium-sized helicopters in the 3 to 6-ton category, the HTSE-1200 is expected to enter limited series production soon, with the first batch of engines slated for delivery by mid-2025. Currently, five HTSE-1200 engines are under fabrication, marking a crucial step towards their deployment.

The HTSE-1200, a collaborative effort between HAL's Engine Division at Koraput and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), has undergone extensive testing and refinement.

Prototypes have successfully completed the manufacturing of parts and modular assemblies for the Power Mode engine, and notably, the core engine has achieved a 100% RPM milestone, validating its performance capabilities.

HAL plans to integrate the HTSE-1200 engine into an older prototype of the ALH-Dhruv helicopter for further testing and evaluation. This integration will provide valuable real-world data on the engine's performance and reliability within an operational helicopter platform.

In parallel, a technology demonstrator of the HTSE-1200 has already showcased its capabilities, achieving a 100% speed run on the core engine and successfully completing sea-level trials. This demonstrator serves as a testament to the engine's potential and underscores the progress made in its development.

The development of the HTSE-1200 represents a significant step towards India's self-reliance in aerospace technology. It showcases the country's ability to design and manufacture advanced propulsion systems for both military and civilian aircraft.

As HAL continues to refine and produce the HTSE-1200, it is poised to play a pivotal role in powering India's helicopter fleet, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and bolstering the country's defence and aerospace industries.

 

[Sunny]

With around 200kw more than Shakti engine we should develop it fast and replace Shakti engine especially on Rudra, LUH and Prachand.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

So this is the reason France sing Aravalli engine pact. From now onwards they won't get any royalty for Shakri engine. Money flow will stops. HAL will use HTSE-1200 in all upto 6 ton catagory Helicopters.

 

[SK]

This is a good news.

Indian-Govt should categorize Aircraft & Marine-Engine development programs similarly to SLVs, ICBMs & Nuclear Weapons, keeping it under direct supervision of PMO.

 

[Ray]

Good news, finally looks like they will flight test the engine. They wasted too much time to get here.

Not too much time.
firat run of HTSE-1200 was done in 2018. When it achieved 76% of rpm. After 6 years it has achieved 100%.
Yes 6 years is a long time but remember HAL was developing it's first engine and from scratch.
Htse-1200 is more powerful than Shakti engine. And everything they have managed for R&D is on their own funds.
And as per the standards of HAL it's indeed a big achievement. At least this program is reaching the conclusion.

 

[NSR]

Finally India will get Moksham for helicopter engines for medium sized ones.
India must now concentrate on the joint project with Safran to get an engine fof heavy helicopters as soon as possible.

Way to go!!!

 

[Kira]

Why can't HAL concentrate on tech and capabilities India lacks like trainers or production capacity for jets rather than spending time on things like these where reliable and proven solutions already exists in form of Safran supplied engines.

 

[Swapy]

Why can't HAL concentrate on tech and capabilities India lacks like trainers or production capacity for jets rather than spending time on things like these where reliable and proven solutions already exists in form of Safran supplied engines.

This is not waste of time. Indigenous solution is always better. In Future, Prachand, LUH and Rundra helo has big demand. Imported engine will not only increase the cost but also keep country dependent on Foreign countries. In war time if these countries not provide support then these helos will be sitting duck. That is the reason this is great news.
We can see how USA delayed supply of engines affect Tejas MK1A delivery.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a brilliant achievement. It’s taken a bit of time but it’s better to make sure the engines performance, fuel efficiency, lifespan is reliable and safe. It’s the first time we have developed an engine by ourself without any foreign help so it’s a good start. Once the shakti engine finish its lifespan we can replace them with our indigenous engine. Another major bonus is that we can now provide a 100% indigenous Dhruv helicopter which includes an engine which is a crucial requirement in making exports.

 

[Rajesh]

This engine will stop foreign engines for LCH, ALH & LUH 🚁. When proposed aravalli engines begins production we will have made in india engine for all our indigenous 🚁 . Hope htfe 25 along with its afterburner get ready similarly soon.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Good development. GoI should reward the team involved. More engine development initiatives should be undertaken.

 

[Akshat]

So this is the reason France sing Aravalli engine pact. From now onwards they won't get any royalty for Shakri engine. Money flow will stops. HAL will use HTSE-1200 in all upto 6 ton catagory Helicopters.

Bro, this is a HAL project. And just the prototypes are being built right now. So at least another 7-8 years, in the best case scenario, before this can power anything operational.

 

[Akshat]

Good development. GoI should reward the team involved. More engine development initiatives should be undertaken.

Reward them for making prototypes? That also, they haven’t yet been completed.

 

[beencensured]

Not too much time.
firat run of HTSE-1200 was done in 2018. When it achieved 76% of rpm. After 6 years it has achieved 100%.
Yes 6 years is a long time but remember HAL was developing it's first engine and from scratch.
Htse-1200 is more powerful than Shakti engine. And everything they have managed for R&D is on their own funds.
And as per the standards of HAL it's indeed a big achievement. At least this program is reaching the conclusion.

They had achieved 100% much before delay was because of Covid.

 

[Prit]

According to the HAL annual report of 2020-21, this engine achieved 100% rpm in 20-21 itself. It has also undergone high altitude hot and cold weather trials. 5 more engines are being made as limited series production for further testing.

 

[beencensured]

Good news, finally looks like they will flight test the engine. They wasted too much time to get here.

 

[PKPRS]

Then why need Aravalli for IMRH and pay billions in royalties.

 

[PKPRS]

They had achieved 100% much before delay was because of Covid.

we can install 3-4 of these engines to make a heavy lift helicopter also.

 

[PKPRS]

So this is the reason France sing Aravalli engine pact. From now onwards they won't get any royalty for Shakri engine. Money flow will stops. HAL will use HTSE-1200 in all upto 6 ton catagory Helicopters.

We can get rid of Aravalli engine also if we think smart, install 3 engines for IMRH instead of two like in the case of Sikorsky S-80, why pay money to French unnecessarily.

 

[Kira]

This is not waste of time. Indigenous solution is always better. In Future, Prachand, LUH and Rundra helo has big demand. Imported engine will not only increase the cost but also keep country dependent on Foreign countries. In war time if these countries not provide support then these helos will be sitting duck. That is the reason this is great news.
We can see how USA delayed supply of engines affect Tejas MK1A delivery.

But replacing a proven engine that has already been produced and maintained here since a while does not make sense not only due to cost, modifications and time required.There is a reason why IAF decided against AL-41F in its upgrade plans for the MKI and same with the Jaguar.
The US did not delay the F-404,it's just that GE became a little tardy due to the COVID pandemic that has affected the entire aviation industry,and India did not place the orders for additional F-404 engines beforehand.It will take time for GE ramp up production for a relatively older engine like the F-404.
Besides,any indigenous engine be it for helos and copters will have significant foreign tech,IP and other crucial components,so India will one way or the other will still be beholden to foreign nations and their interests to a certain extent.