Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to establish a support centre in India for national and international rotorcraft customers.

An agreement to this effect was signed by D.K. Venkatesh, Director (Engg, and R&D), HAL and Bruno Even, CEO-Turbomeca, at the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow (July 11-17, 2016) in the presence of T. Suvarna Raju, CMD-HAL and Philippe Petitcolin, CEO-Safran.

This new centre will provide Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines that powers HAL-built helicopters. Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL will provide their customers with a first-class service including optimized engine availability.

With over 1000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India's armed forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines. Shakti is the Indian designation for the Safran's Ardiden 1, co-developed with HAL and produced under license.

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