Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to establish a support centre in India for national and international rotorcraft customers.
An agreement to this effect was signed on Monday by DK Venkatesh, Director (Engg, and R&D), HAL, and Bruno Even, CEO-Turbomeca, at the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow (July 11-17, 2016) in the presence of T Suvarna Raju, CMD-HAL and Philippe Petitcolin, CEO-Safran.
This new centre will provide Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines that powers HAL-built helicopters. Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL will provide their customers with a first-class service including optimized engine availability.
With over 1,000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India’s armed forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines. Shakti is the Indian designation for the Safran’s Ardiden 1, co-developed with HAL and produced under licence.
T Suvarna Raju, CMD-HAL, said, “The JV reflects the close relationship established over many years between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines. It places both partners on an ambitious path towards world-beating customer support in the field of engine MRO. The joint venture will provide the impetus for the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative since around 1000 Shakti engines are likely to fly in the coming years”.
Serge Maillé, Safran Helicopter Engines Executive Vice President for Strategy and Development, commented “this joint venture marks a new step in the long-lasting and fruitful partnership between Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL. We are extremely proud of the continued confidence placed on us by HAL. Together we are committed to delivering world-class support to our customers, both in India and throughout the region”.
Shakti is fitted to HAL’s ALH-Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) and has been selected to power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine chopper under development is also fitted with a Turbomeca engine. Denzelle Good Authentic Jersey
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