Key Highlights
- HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines signed the final contract for the Aravalli helicopter engine programme.
- The Aravalli engine will be developed in the 3,500 to 4,000 shaft horsepower (shp) class.
- The engine has been selected to power HAL’s upcoming 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH).
- The Aravalli engine will also power the naval Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).
- SAFHAL, the HAL-Safran joint venture, will undertake the design, development, manufacturing, supply and lifecycle support of the engine.
- The programme is aimed at strengthening India’s indigenous aero-engine and helicopter propulsion capabilities.
- The engine could also serve civil applications, including offshore transport, utility missions and VIP transportation.
- The programme is expected to support the development of indigenous helicopter engine MRO capabilities in India.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed a final contract with SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL) for the design, development, manufacture, supply and lifecycle support of the Aravalli engine, a new-generation high-power helicopter engine in the 3,500 to 4,000 shaft horsepower (shp) class.
The Aravalli engine has been selected to power HAL’s upcoming 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). The agreement marks a significant step in the development of indigenous propulsion capabilities for India’s next-generation rotorcraft programmes.
The contract was signed by HAL Director, Engineering, Research & Development, Mr. Ajay Kumar Saravaha, and Safran Helicopter Engines Director and Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mr. Olivier Savin. HAL Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Ravi K. Chaimnan and Safran Helicopter Engines Chief Executive Officer Mr. Cédric Goubet were also present at the signing ceremony.
Named after one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli engine programme is intended to strengthen India’s capabilities in aero-engine technology and reduce dependence on overseas propulsion systems. The programme is expected to support the operational requirements of the IMRH and DBMRH while contributing to the broader development of India’s aerospace and defence industrial ecosystem.
HAL said the agreement represents an important milestone in its pursuit of greater self-reliance in aero-engine technologies. The collaboration with Safran is expected to create a foundation for propulsion systems for future Indian helicopter platforms and support the development of domestic capabilities across the aerospace supply chain.
Safran Helicopter Engines said the programme represents a new chapter in its long-standing partnership with HAL. The company noted that the Aravalli programme combines the expertise of Indian and French teams to develop propulsion technology for future medium-lift rotorcraft.
SAFHAL, a joint venture between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines SAS, will leverage the technological and manufacturing capabilities of its parent companies. The collaboration will cover advanced design methodologies, manufacturing processes, testing and product support in line with international aerospace standards.
Beyond military applications, the Aravalli engine is also expected to have potential applications in the civil helicopter market, including offshore transportation, utility missions and VIP transport. The programme is also expected to support the development of indigenous Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in India.
The agreement further reflects Safran Group’s continued investments in India across manufacturing, engineering, research and development, and MRO activities. The partnership is aimed at strengthening local industrial capabilities while contributing to the development of advanced aerospace technologies aligned with India’s self-reliance objectives.
Safran Helicopter Engines has previously partnered with HAL on several helicopter engine programmes, including the Arrius engines used in Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, as well as the Shakti engine family powering the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).
The Aravalli programme is expected to build on this partnership through the joint design and development of a new turboshaft engine for medium-lift rotorcraft platforms serving Indian and international markets.