Panaji: More than five years have passed since the foundation stone for the Helicopter Repair and Overhaul Facility was laid Honda The construction of a facility worth Rs 170 crore has started at Sattari.
on Monday, thing and French aerospace giant Safran launched the project with a ground-breaking ceremony following which the two firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and explore opportunities for new helicopter engines in the civilian and military markets.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said the project was delayed due to a major crisis affecting the international helicopter market, which was followed by a worldwide pandemic.
HAL, Defense Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and SAFRAN have set up Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt. Ltd. (HE-MRO) as a joint venture for repair of TM333 and SAKTI gas turbine engines. power engine Installed on HAL’s advanced light helicopter known as Dhruv and Rudra and its variants including Light Combat Helicopter. The Ardiden 1U engine powers the new light utility helicopter, a three-ton single-engine aircraft. The Ardiden 1U engine was certified for civilian helicopters by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 26, 2021.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan and Chief Executive Officer of Safran Helicopter Engines Frank Soudou were present at Honda along with officials from the Indian Armed Forces.
“The facility will be commissioned by the end of 2023, with a capacity to repair 50 locomotives a year and target a full capacity of 150 locomotives in the coming years. The joint venture will also bring employment opportunities for over 60 qualified engineers and technicians from the region,” HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar said.
Former Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar had laid the foundation stone for the project in July 2016, but the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) gave the green signal to transfer the land to the aerospace firm only in December 2017.
HAL has acquired the assets of the defunct Goa Automobile Accessories Ltd for Rs 7 crore, and will invest Rs 170 crore for setting up the HE-MRO with Safran India.
“1,000 sqm training and office facility and a 3,800 sqm international class shop facility will provide Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-manufactured helicopters to enhance operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces . Madhavan said.
India’s armed forces are among the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines, with over 1,000 engines across the country, including 250 TM333 and over 500 Shakti engines. Shakti is the Indian version of the Safran Ardiden 1H1, co-developed with HAL. HAL has so far successfully produced more than 500 Shakti locomotives.
“I am extremely proud to celebrate the launch of this world-class MRO center for TM333 and Shakti Gas Turbines on helicopters of the Indian Armed Forces. This complex is the Government of India’s vision for building customer satisfaction and aerospace MRO in India. will be an important factor to support,” Soudou said.
Sutar said that the expansion of HAL in the last few years will increase employment. The facility has expansion potential for other programs and may include non-military or other engines in the future.
The Honda facility will help in reducing the time taken to improve serviceability and help in operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces.
on Monday, thing and French aerospace giant Safran launched the project with a ground-breaking ceremony following which the two firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and explore opportunities for new helicopter engines in the civilian and military markets.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said the project was delayed due to a major crisis affecting the international helicopter market, which was followed by a worldwide pandemic.
HAL, Defense Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and SAFRAN have set up Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt. Ltd. (HE-MRO) as a joint venture for repair of TM333 and SAKTI gas turbine engines. power engine Installed on HAL’s advanced light helicopter known as Dhruv and Rudra and its variants including Light Combat Helicopter. The Ardiden 1U engine powers the new light utility helicopter, a three-ton single-engine aircraft. The Ardiden 1U engine was certified for civilian helicopters by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 26, 2021.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan and Chief Executive Officer of Safran Helicopter Engines Frank Soudou were present at Honda along with officials from the Indian Armed Forces.
“The facility will be commissioned by the end of 2023, with a capacity to repair 50 locomotives a year and target a full capacity of 150 locomotives in the coming years. The joint venture will also bring employment opportunities for over 60 qualified engineers and technicians from the region,” HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar said.
Former Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar had laid the foundation stone for the project in July 2016, but the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) gave the green signal to transfer the land to the aerospace firm only in December 2017.
HAL has acquired the assets of the defunct Goa Automobile Accessories Ltd for Rs 7 crore, and will invest Rs 170 crore for setting up the HE-MRO with Safran India.
“1,000 sqm training and office facility and a 3,800 sqm international class shop facility will provide Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-manufactured helicopters to enhance operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces . Madhavan said.
India’s armed forces are among the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines, with over 1,000 engines across the country, including 250 TM333 and over 500 Shakti engines. Shakti is the Indian version of the Safran Ardiden 1H1, co-developed with HAL. HAL has so far successfully produced more than 500 Shakti locomotives.
“I am extremely proud to celebrate the launch of this world-class MRO center for TM333 and Shakti Gas Turbines on helicopters of the Indian Armed Forces. This complex is the Government of India’s vision for building customer satisfaction and aerospace MRO in India. will be an important factor to support,” Soudou said.
Sutar said that the expansion of HAL in the last few years will increase employment. The facility has expansion potential for other programs and may include non-military or other engines in the future.
The Honda facility will help in reducing the time taken to improve serviceability and help in operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces.