HAL and Safran Sign Contract to Develop Aravalli Engine

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines signed a final contract on August 26, 2026, to jointly design, manufacture, and support the Aravalli helicopter engine. Executed through their joint venture, SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd, the agreement focuses on a new-generation turboshaft engine in the 3,500 to 4,000 shaft horsepower class.

The Aravalli engine will power the 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) for the Air Force and Army, as well as the 12.5-tonne Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH) for the navy. The Indian military intends to acquire 353 multi-role helicopters and 66 deck-based variants to modernize a fleet currently dependent on Russian aircraft. While primarily for military use, the partners noted potential future applications in the civil market for offshore missions and VVIP transport.

This partnership marks a shift in the defense relationship between India and France, moving from licensed production to joint design and development. The project follows a broader commitment by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron to intensify joint research and development across land, air, and naval systems. This is the first time Safran Helicopter Engines has engaged in the co-development of an engine in this specific power class, aiming to expand India's domestic maintenance, repair, and overhaul ecosystem.