Time for Action | March 2018

A FORCE Report

New Delhi: In a little over a year, the Safran Helicopter Engines (formerly Turbomeca) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) joint venture, christened Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt Ltd is ready to roll. The Chief Executive Officer of Safran Helicopter Engines Bruno Even was in India in early February to oversee the commencement of the civil works for the Helicopter Engine MRO in Goa. The 50:50 JV, aimed at maintaining the helicopter engines operational in India, was signed in October 2016.

CEO, Safran Helicopter Engines, Bruno Even (right) with CEO, Safran India, Stephen Lauret

While the MRO would be located in Goa, it will qualify three maintenance centres in Bengaluru, Pathankot and Misamari for level 3 maintenance of the helicopters. According to the current estimates, the field maintenance centres will become operational this year itself. The Goa facility will be ready by 2019 and will be qualified to carry out complete maintenance, repair and overhaul of TM333 engines fitted on older Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv and Cheetal helicopters and Shakti engines fitted on ALH Dhruv and Light Combat Helico