New Delhi : Announcing that it has incorporated a joint venture (JV) with France-based Safran Helicopter Engines under the name “Safhal Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd“, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on November 10 said in its statement that the JV will design, develop, certify, produce, sell, and support helicopter engines.

According to HAL, the first opportunities identified are the engines for Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and Deck Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). Last month, the two companies had announced that they would partner to develop industrial cooperation in manufacturing ring forgings for commercial aircraft engines. These products, which HAL and Safran will jointly produce in Bengaluru, will power the Airbus A320 Neo family and the Boeing 737 Max single-aisle airliners.

The joint development and manufacture of aircraft engines by Safran and HAL underscores the strategic cooperation that increasingly characterises the Indo-French security agenda. The Shakti engine, co-developed and co-manufactured in Bengaluru by HAL and Safran, is one of the few power plants with the thrust required to propel HAL’s family of indigenous helicopters to the challenging heights of Kargil and the Saltoro Ridge, where the Indian Army is deployed at altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet.

The Shakti engine powers indigenous helicopters that include the Dhruv (ALH) advanced light helicopter, the Rudra attack helicopter, the Prachanda light combat helicopter (LCH) and the light utility helicopter (LUH).