Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an MoU with French Safran Aircraft Engines for assembling and manufacturing components for Smecma M88 engine in India. The engine is used in Rafale jets.
Under the terms of the MoU, HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines intend to explore opportunities to assemble the Safran M88 engine and manufacture components for the engine with HAL for additional batch of Rafale Aircraft for India and for any aircraft manufactured in India by HAL
fitted with M88, Safran said in a statement.
It is also being deliberated as to how the transfer of technology in the assembling/manufacturing programs will happen. The MoU encompasses collaboration between HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines for indigenization programs relating to design and development of high thrust engines of 110 kN power and above with transfer of key technology in the framework of this development.
“Safran is our key partner in respect of Engines in HAL’s Helicopters like Chetak, Cheetal, Light Utility Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopter. HAL and Safran have successfully co-developed ‘Shakti’ Engine for Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Helicopter. We have manufactured more than 450 Shakti engines in India at HAL Engine Division in Bangalore, which is testimony of success of our collaboration. Both HAL and Safran are keen to take this partnership to next level by exploring new avenues,” said R. Madhavan, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL.
HAL also teamed up with Safran in 2005 to create an equally-owned joint venture in Bengaluru which produces pipes for aero-engines.
