# India's indigenous aerospace engine development

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indias-indigenous-aerospace-engine-development
> Updated: 2026-08-26T07:43:12.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: HAL and Safran sign contract to develop Aravalli helicopter engine

HAL and Safran have signed a contract via their joint venture, SAFHAL, to develop the Aravalli helicopter engine, a 3,500-4,000 shp powerplant for India's future multi-role and naval helicopters.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hal-and-safran-to-develop-aravalli-helicopter-engine-in-india

### 2026-08-05: India's HAL advances indigenous FADEC and turbofan engine development

HAL is developing an indigenous FADEC for the HTSE‑1200 turboshaft engine and achieved a 99.5% core speed milestone on its HTFE‑25 turbofan, advancing India's self‑reliant defence aviation capabilities.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-hal-advances-indigenous-fadec-and-turbofan-engine-development

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Cite as: India's indigenous aerospace engine development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indias-indigenous-aerospace-engine-development