Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed the final contract through their joint venture SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. to begin full development, manufacture, supply and lifecycle support of the Aravalli turboshaft engine. The 3,500-4,000 shp engine is being developed in Bengaluru for India’s 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter and naval Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter programmes, moving the project from prior cooperation into active industrialisation.
The contract covers the entire engine value chain, including design work, production and long-term support, rather than a limited preliminary partnership. Safran Helicopter Engines described the Aravalli as its first co-development project in this power class, building on an earlier agreement with HAL and expanding the scope of the collaboration into a dedicated programme structure.
The engine is intended to underpin medium-lift military rotorcraft for the Indian armed forces and to support domestic propulsion capability in a segment that has traditionally relied on foreign suppliers. The programme also creates scope for broader maintenance, repair and overhaul activity in India, while giving the local aerospace industry experience in high-power turboshaft development.