HAL-Safran JV to Start Developing Next Gen Turboshaft Engine for IMRH & DB-MRH Next Month

NewsBharati    26-Oct-2023 23:58:30 PM
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The joint venture (JV) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and French engine manufacturer Safran will begin development of the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and Deck-based Multi-Role Helicopter (DB-MRH) next month.
 
 

DBIMRH
 
 
 
 
HAL Chief CB Ananthakrishnan disclosed in an interview with the Hindustan Times that the HAL-Safran JV for helicopter engine development will be operating in the next month.
Ananthakrishnan also stated his plans for engine output for the next four years.
 
"The JV will be operational next month, and engine production is expected to begin in four years.""These engines will power the Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) and its deck-based variant," he said.
The demand for these cutting-edge engines is projected to be approximately 400 units.The joint venture would be located in Tumkur, Karnataka, near HAL's helicopter production site.
 
HAL plans to build up to 90 different models of helicopters in Tumkur per year.
"We are looking at basing the Safran-HAL JV at our new Tumkur facility, which is the largest helicopter manufacturing facility in the country," Ananthakrishnan explained. Every year, we can produce up to 90 helicopters at Tumkur, a mix of LCH, light utility helicopters, and IMRH."
 
"With the JV based there, Tumkur will become a one-stop shop for helicopters and related equipment." Safran and HAL will split the job 50:50. "The new engine could be in production at IMRH by 2031," the HAL CEO remarked.
The agreement to collaboratively build next-generation turboshaft helicopters was revealed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's July visit to France.
 
It's worth mentioning that HAL and Safran have previously inked a work-share agreement to jointly build these next-generation turboshaft engines during Aero India 2023 in February 2023.
Both businesses will have an equal stake in the joint venture company and will share the engine's intellectual property (IPR) equally.
 
The HAL CEO has indicated that IMRH might be ready for manufacturing by 2031.
The IMRH is a 12-ton helicopter being built in India to replace outdated Russian Mi-17 helicopters in the Indian Air Force and Indian Army inventory.
 
The DB-MRH, on the other hand, will be the Indian Navy's naval derivative, built for sea operations from the decks of aircraft carriers and warships.
In addition, the HAL Chief aims to complete discussions with US jet engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) for the construction of GE-F414 jet engines for the TEJAS MK-2 over the next six to twelve months.
 
"We should have a deal in six to twelve months." We anticipate that GE will provide us with a price quotation soon, after which negotiations will pick up steam. Things are going quickly. "Our goal is to close the deal at a reasonable price," Ananthakrishnan stated.
 

Source : Swarajyamag
IMRH DB-MRH Multirole chopper INDIA HAL Safran France