HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop industrial cooperation in Ring forging manufacturing for commercial engines. HAL will produce LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion, powering Airbus A320 Neo family and Boeing 737 Max) engine Forgings at its Foundry & Forge facility in Bengaluru as part of the MoU. The MoU was signed by Mr. Mihir Kanti Mishra, CEO (Bangalore Complex), HAL and Mr. Dominique Dupuy, Senior Vice President (Purchasing), Safran Aircraft Engines in Bengaluru in the presence of key officials from both companies yesterday.
“Safran is a long standing partner, especially on our Helicopter programs, as evidenced by the joint development of the “Shakti” helicopter engine. We are also going to codesign and coproduce the next generation IMRH engine with Safran. We are proud to take this partnership to another level, and to develop our skills in key technologies”, said Mr. C.B. Ananthakrishnan, Chairman & Managing Director (Additional Charge), HAL.
“We are delighted to expand our collaboration with HAL, which is already part of the LEAP Supply Chain through our joint-venture in Bengaluru dedicated to the production of aero-engines pipes”, said Jean-Paul Alary, CEO, Safran Aircraft Engines. and Mr. Jean Michel, Strategy Director and India Development for Safran Military Division.
Importantly during his visit to France, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on October 11, 2023, visited the Safran Engine Division's R&D Centre at Gennevilliers near Paris, France during the second and final leg of his two-nation tour. During his visit to the Centre, he witnessed the latest developments in aero-engine technology.
Mr Olivier Andries, Global CEO Safran welcomed the Raksha Mantri to the facility and, along with his team, gave a detailed briefing to him. Safran expressed interest in being a part of the Indian growth story by working with its counterparts on mutually agreed joint projects.
The Raksha Mantri also met with the CEOs of the top French defence companies with a focus on their plans for collaboration with India. Mr Eric Trappier, CEO Dassault; Mr Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO Naval Group; Mr Guillaume Faury, CEO Airbus; and Mr Olivier Andries, CEO Safran Group were present during the interaction.
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the advantages of co-development and co-production in India, including possibilities of exports to third countries. He underlined the inherent advantages of Indian market such as a large, skilled HR base, world class infrastructure and a strong legal architecture.