How HAL's HTSE-1200 Breakthrough Helped Secure Complete ToT of Ardiden 1H1 Shakti Engine From Safran

In a major boost for India's self-reliance in the aerospace sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured a complete transfer of technology (ToT) for the Shakti 1H1 engines from Safran.

This landmark achievement empowers HAL to take full control of the manufacturing process for these crucial engines that power a variety of Indian helicopters, including the ALH MKIII (Dhruv), MK IV (Rudra – WSI), and LCH (Light Combat Helicopter).

The Shakti engine, a derivative of Safran's Ardiden 1H1, is specially designed for high-altitude operations, making it indispensable for India's challenging terrains.

With a projected demand for nearly 2000 engines in the coming two decades, HAL's decision to develop its own turboshaft engine, the HTSE-1200, stemmed from a strategic imperative to reduce reliance on external suppliers.

Safran, recognizing the potential impact of the HTSE-1200 on its business, opted to transfer the complete technology for the Shakti engines to HAL. This move guarantees a continued supply of these critical components for HAL's helicopter programs while also ensuring Safran's continued involvement in India's aerospace industry.

Although HAL has already manufactured 500 Shakti engines, certain components were previously produced under license from Safran.

With the complete ToT, HAL gains full autonomy over the entire manufacturing process, encompassing rotor dynamic analysis, casing design, static parts stress analysis, HMU (Hydromechanical Unit) system design, and electrical harness system. Safran will facilitate the technology transfer for their portion of the system, previously handled by them.

This complete ToT represents a significant milestone for HAL and the Indian aerospace sector, showcasing India's growing prowess in designing and manufacturing advanced aerospace components.

 

[Anant]

Good news. However, just because Safran is now offering 100% ToT should not mean some bright sparks gets the idea to delay/ cancel the HTSE-1200. Let work on that engine progress alongside, and we should try to integrate those engines on helicopters being built after development is completed.

 

[sanket]

No more delay in MFG Engine shaktiIndigenously .Unlike GE is doing in Tejas MK1A project Not supplying Engines on Time Good work by HAL

 

[desigandu]

Good news. However, just because Safran is now offering 100% ToT should not mean some bright sparks gets the idea to delay/ cancel the HTSE-1200. Let work on that engine progress alongside, and we should try to integrate those engines on helicopters being built after development is completed.

I fully agree…Bharat must strive for full end to end atmanirbharta in all critical defense technologies including but not limited to design, development, testing, manufacture, supply chain, enhancement, disposals with a local ecosystem, etc., especially in aviation…

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Just because we got TOT, HAL should not stop it's work for HTSE 1200

 

[Kailash]

This is the only way to make them stand up and take note. Take the ToT, say thanks, and incorporate your learnings back into HTSE. make 30-70 split of their engines vs ours in the whole inventory. All our exports can be sanction free.

I am confident the forces can work with similar peak specs, and compromise on mean time between overhaul, maintenance costs or number of engine replacements over the lifetime of the platform etc. Of course these parameters will also improve - but only after hundreds of engines are made and maintained, over many years.

On similar lines Kaveri A/B integration and flight test is bare minimum for GE or Safran to roll over and give up ToT. Then again, if we are almost there, do we even need them? That is a question for a later point in time.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Complete HTSE engine soon.

 

[PKPRS]

if HAL has the greatest HTSE-1200 engine why does it need Shakti engine, why doesn’t it throw it away into France.

 

[GMR]

Excellent, but pls don't send HTSE to cold storage... we can never achieve true atmanirbharata in absence of own engines, be it land or marine or Aero ones..rope in private firms, start ups to develop and build a R&D ecosystem in parallel to manufacturing ecosystem

 

[Instant Karma]

if HAL has the greatest HTSE-1200 engine why does it need Shakti engine, why doesn’t it throw it away into France.

It is still under development.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

Safran GTRE should also make suitable engines for IJT and AJT Hawk-I trainers along with 125+ KN for AMCA !

 

[Akshat]

This is the only way to make them stand up and take note. Take the ToT, say thanks, and incorporate your learnings back into HTSE. make 30-70 split of their engines vs ours in the whole inventory. All our exports can be sanction free.

I am confident the forces can work with similar peak specs, and compromise on mean time between overhaul, maintenance costs or number of engine replacements over the lifetime of the platform etc. Of course these parameters will also improve - but only after hundreds of engines are made and maintained, over many years.

On similar lines Kaveri A/B integration and flight test is bare minimum for GE or Safran to roll over and give up ToT. Then again, if we are almost there, do we even need them? That is a question for a later point in time.

But Kaveri is not ready even for FTB. Remember it blew up mid air when flight tested last time and no work has happened since. So can’t risk it being used on anything. We need a fresh program where DRDO doesn’t get to touch anything.

 

[Akshat]

if HAL has the greatest HTSE-1200 engine why does it need Shakti engine, why doesn’t it throw it away into France.

Because it’s not ready at all.

 

[NSR]

Great news indeed for India and its helicpters programs.

I wish our long time friend Russia (old USSR) sees the daylight and releses 100% TOT for AL-31FP engine as India already made close to 1000 engines for SU-30MKIs.
AL-31FP is 40+ year old technology with some recent updates and Russia must relent and release 100% TOT for India as a goodwill.

Inefficient and incompetent HAL is jacked up the prices and now asking about $12 millions per each engine.
Time for complete reorganization of HAL and its culture is now not later.

 

[AK S]

I fully agree…Bharat must strive for full end to end atmanirbharta in all critical defense technologies including but not limited to design, development, testing, manufacture, supply chain, enhancement, disposals with a local ecosystem, etc., especially in aviation…

HTSE 1200 in all likelihood will not enter production, though work must continue. this has ensured proper TOT from Safran and Co-development of IMRH engine. This is big achievement.

 

[AK S]

But Kaveri is not ready even for FTB. Remember it blew up mid air when flight tested last time and no work has happened since. So can’t risk it being used on anything. We need a fresh program where DRDO doesn’t get to touch anything.

Refresh my memory… when did Kaveri blow up mid air?

Certification for the existing design on Tehas is WIP and another 3 years Kaveri will be put to limited flight trial.

 

[AK S]

Because it’s not ready at all.

Ready enough to ruffle French feathers.

 

[Akshat]

Ready enough to ruffle French feathers.

Not ready enough to be used in my Indian products.

 

[Akshat]

Refresh my memory… when did Kaveri blow up mid air?

Certification for the existing design on Tehas is WIP and another 3 years Kaveri will be put to limited flight trial.

2011 (can be off by an year or so). In Russia. It was on an Il76 plane.

Kaveri has been WIP for 3 decades and nothing will happen till DRDO is thrown off the project. They have been showing us these fake dreams for decades and that’s why IAF and MoD don’t trust them anymore.