India And France To Begin R&D For Next-Generation Helicopter Engines To Power HAL's In-Development IMRH And DBMRH

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and French engine-maker Safran will commence work on the development of engines for Indian Multi-role Helicopters (IMRH) and Deck-based Multi-role Helicopters (DBMRH).

These engines are being developed as part of a deal signed between HAL and Safran on the sidelines of Aero India 2023, to co-develop and co-produce next-generation advanced 'Turboshaft engines' for helicopters.

The agreement will transfer breakthrough technologies and critical know-how, which until now was denied to HAL.

Under the deal, HAL will take part in the research and development, as well as production of critical parts and components of the 'core' — the heart — of the engine.

Just last year (in July 2022), HAL had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Safran to jointly co-develop these engines.

It is noteworthy, that HAL also produces Safran's TM333 engines and 'HAL Shakti', a variant of Safran's Ardiden 1H1 engine. These engines and their variants power HAL's Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

HAL will also manufacture seven critical forging and casting raw parts which which will further increase the localisation of Shakti engines.

A New Helicopter Engine Repair Facility

Notably, HAL and Safran has also agreed to make a joint helicopter-engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, Helicopters Engines MRO Pvt Ltd (HE-MRO), at Goa.

Last year (in March 2022), the ground-breaking ceremony of HE-MRO was held at Sattari, 40 km away from Panaji Goa, where HAL plans to repair engines by the end of 2023.

During the initial phase, the company aims to overhaul more than 50 engines annually, with plans to subsequently enhance its repair capacity to accommodate 150 engines per year.

The Indian Air Force, army, navy, and Coast Guard collectively operate over 1,000 engines of these types, all of which will undergo overhauls at the HE-MRO facility.

IMRH And DB-MRH Helicopters

The IMRH and Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopters (DBMRH) are new generation helicopters that HAL is developing for the three armed forces.

These helicopters will weigh 13 tonnes and replace Mi-17s and Mi-17 V5s in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army (IA) inventory, which will start retiring in 2028.

The DB-MRH helicopters, on the other hand, will be used by the Indian Navy on its aircraft carriers and naval ships like destroyers and frigates. These helicopters will also be able to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.