DEFENCE MINISTER INAUGURATES HALSAFRAN JV FOR HELICOPTER ENGINES

The Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated Helicopter Engines Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Pvt. Limited (HE-MRO), a joint venture of HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines (Safran HE), France at Sattari district, north Goa on October 25. The JV will provide MRO services for Safran TM333 2B2 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters operated by the defence services. Speaking on the occasion, Parrikar said this is a step towards creating employment opportunities with corresponding boost to the economic activities in Goa. “This is the right place for MRO activities related to helicopter engines. We have a local talent to meet the skill requirement for the project,” he added.

With a fleet of 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 Ardiden 1H1, co-developed with HAL and produced under licence. Shakti is fitted to HAL’s ALH/Dhruv and has been selected to power the HAL-designed light combat helicopter (LCH). The Ardiden 1U variant powers the new light utility helicopter (LUH), a three-tonne single-engine aircraft that made its maiden flight in September 2016.