leading french helicopter engine manufacturer Turbomeca (Safran) and Hindustan Aeronautics ltd. (HAl), Indian defence aviation major, have signed an MoU at the ongoing Paris Air Show to establish in India a joint venture to support customers in India and other countries.
According to a Press statement issued in Bengaluru on Wednesday this venture will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul Turbomeca and HAl engines installed on HAl-produced helicopters (TM333 and Shakti engines). Together, Turbomeca and HAl intend to offer Indian customers a first-class service with the goal of optimising engine availability.
With a fleet of over 1,000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India’s armed forces are the largest operator of Turbomeca-designed engines in the country. Shakti is the Indian designation of the Turbomeca Ardiden 1, co-developed with HAl and produced under license. "This will boost the Make in India drive, considering the forecast that 1,000 Shakti engines will be flying in India soon", the statement adds.