India's indigenous aerospace engine development

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is advancing several indigenous engine development programs to reduce foreign dependency in India’s aerospace sector. Initial efforts focused on the HTSE-1200 turboshaft engine, which is receiving a home-grown Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system to power various helicopter platforms. Additionally, testing for the HTFE-25 turbofan engine reached 99.5% of its design speed.

Expanding its capabilities, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines have formalized their collaboration through a 50:50 joint venture, SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. The partners have signed a contract to design, develop, and manufacture the ‘Aravalli’ engine, a new-generation turboshaft falling within the 3,500 to 4,000 shaft horsepower (shp) class.

The Aravalli engine is intended to power HAL’s upcoming 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). This project aims to transition India from licensed production to indigenous co-development of high-power propulsion technology. Production is planned for HAL’s facility in Tumakuru, Karnataka. The design and development phase is targeted for completion by 2032-33, providing Indian engineers with expertise in critical areas such as high-pressure compressors, power turbines, and fuel systems.