This collaboration marks a major milestone in strengthening Safran Aircraft Engines’ supply chain and advancing India’s capabilities in high-precision aerospace manufacturing.

Under this agreement, Uni Tritech Private Limited will start production of aluminum investment cast parts for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines at its facility in Dharwad, Karnataka (India). The components will be cast, precisely machined, and receive specialized treatments in India, in accordance with the strict quality, safety, and certification standards required for new-generation commercial aircraft engines.

The LEAP engine powers the world’s most advanced single-aisle commercial aircraft and sets a benchmark for fuel efficiency, performance, and durability. This partnership is fully aligned with Safran Aircraft Engines’ strategy to build a resilient and diversified global supply chain, while further consolidating India’s role as a key aerospace manufacturing hub.

The collaboration will leverage Uni Tritech’s advanced foundry technologies, precision machining, and proprietary metallurgical processes, to deliver products meeting the highest standards of performance, durability, and reliability.

“This partnership with Safran Aircraft Engines marks a defining milestone for Uni Tritech and the Neterwala Group. It highlights our expertise in advanced metallurgy and precision engineering, as well as our commitment to supporting global aerospace programs. By manufacturing critical LEAP engine components in India, we are proud to contribute to the growth of a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem,” said Kuldeep Bhan, Group President – Global Metallurgy Business, Neterwala Group.

“Our collaboration with Uni Tritech, Safran Aircraft Engines’ first aluminum foundry partner in India, marks an important step in strengthening the resilience and diversity of our global supply chain. This initiative also highlights India’s expanding role as a key aerospace manufacturing hub, as we work together to supply high-precision components and support the fast-growing ramp-up of the LEAP engine program with the highest industry standards,” said Dominique Dupuy, Safran Aircraft Engines, Vice President, Purchasing.

This agreement highlights the growing alignment between global aerospace industry leaders and Indian manufacturers. It reflects a shared vision to foster innovation, accelerate skills development, and build long-term industrial partnerships to support the future of aviation.

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Additionally, the Defense Acquisition Council, the top-most decision-making body for acquiring military equipment for the Indian armed forces on July 13th, cleared proposals worth an estimated 80,000 crore which is almost 9 billion euros, to acquire 3 additional Scorpene submarines and 26 Rafale Marine Fighter Jets for the Navy.

ALSO READ: Sixth Scorpene Launched; Fast Boats Contracted

An MOU was signed between Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and the Naval group for building 3 additional submarines under the P-75 Program. They would be built in Mazagon Dockyards Ltd, in Mumbai.

The announcement was made after the Indian PM’s talks with French President Macron in Paris concluded.

The Scorpene Subs have stealth features, long-range guided torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles. They have a SONAR suite and a sensor suite offering them excellent operational capabilities.

This comes after the Indian PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron adopted the ‘Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations.’

They welcomed the collaboration between the naval companies of both nations.

A Joint Statement read that India and France are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.

India is also setting up a Technical Office of the DRDO at its Paris Embassy to adopt a roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking about the French commitment to the ‘Make-In-India’ Initiative, PM Modi and President Macron also applauded the defence industrial partnerships, including the agreement between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the transfer of Technology of Forging and Castings for building the Shakti Engine.

Another example of India-France’s outstanding cooperation in military aviation stretching over 5 decades is the timely delivery of 36 Rafale jets ordered by India.

Both nations decided to extend this mutual partnership in developing advanced aeronautical technologies by agreeing on the joint development of a combat aircraft engine.

French company Safran and India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, will make a roadmap for this project before 2023 end.

They will also uphold industrial cooperation for motorising heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, IMRH Programme with Safran Helicopter Engine.

Another MOU was signed between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd and Naval Group France, a prominent name in the European Naval Defense Industry, to collaborate in the field of surface ships that would meet India’s requirements and those of International Naval forces.

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The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries, a decision seen as a reflection of the growing bilateral defence ties.

There was no word on the much-anticipated procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets by India from France

ALSO READ: Macron for France’s deeper involvement in India’s self-reliance efforts in defence equipment

However, a document listing a 25-year roadmap to further advance the strategic relations mentioned the “timely delivery” of the 36 Rafale jets, which were procured by India from France for the Indian Air Force.

It said the two sides welcome an agreement inked between India’s Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and France’s Naval Group for the construction of three additional submarines under the P-75 programme.

The document titled “Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations” said the two sides are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.

“In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India,” it said.

“In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine,” it added.

A roadmap for this project will be prepared between Safran and the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) before the end of this year.

They also announced supporting industrial cooperation for the motorisation of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with the Safran helicopter engine.

“To enable progress on the IMRH programme, a shareholders’ agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France has been concluded for engine development,” the document said.

It said these ventures are in line with the spirit of trust that prevails between India and France in the sharing and joint development of critical components and technology building blocks, based on the successful Indo-French experience in technology transfer.

It mentioned that other examples of the defence industrial partnership included the contract being concluded between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the transfer of technology of “forging and castings” for the Shakti engine.

“This is also reflective of the French commitment to support technology transfer and Make in India, it said.

Another such example is the MoU between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd and Naval Group France to collaborate in the field of surface ships that cater to fulfil the requirement of India and international naval forces, it added.

“To this end, both countries are also working towards adopting a roadmap on defence industrial cooperation,” it said.

In view of the uptick in defence industrial collaborations between the two countries, India is setting up a technical office of the DRDO at the Indian embassy in Paris.

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This decision was achieved thanks to a dynamic common work cycle between the two companies, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 8th July 2022 and an agreement on workshare reached between the two partners during Aero India 2023.

ALSO READ: HAL and Safran sign MoU to extend cooperation for new helicopter engines

The collaboration the Indian and French Aerospace majors is clearly supporting the development of the aerospace strategic roadmap between the two countries while once again endorsing the Indian Government’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” – particularly in defence technologies. Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL see this joint venture as a natural further step in their robust, well balanced and growing relationship.

Mr. Cedric Goubet, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, said: “We at Safran Helicopter Engines are truly elated to partner with HAL and India to craft this new turboshaft engine joint venture set to address the Indian market and also future export opportunities. It marks a turning point in not only the longstanding relationship between our two companies but also between India and France. Together we will remain fully dedicated to our customers in India, proud to designing and producing new efficient helicopter engines.”

Mr. C.B. Ananthkrishnan, CMD, HAL said: “Safran Helicopter Engines has been our valued partner for several decades. We both have embarked on a new journey, leveraging HAL’s experience in manufacturing of more than 15 types of aircraft and helicopter engines and Safran Helicopter Engines’ expertise in desiging turboshaft engines. The objective is to co-develop and co-produce turboshaft engines in India – with immediate focus on IMRH and DBMRH. This partnership will engage and harness the Indian Defence manufacturing ecosystem towards realising Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of our Honble PM”.

Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL already have multiple successful partnerships on helicopter powerplants, including the Shakti engine, which powers HAL-produced helicopters, comprising the Dhruv, Rudra and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH Prachand). More than 500 Shakti engines have already been produced. The new joint venture further extends the sphere of current cooperation and explores opportunities for strategic business collaboration that leverage the complementary talents and capabilities of the two aviation firms.

Through HE-MRO joint venture in Goa, Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL will also provide MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services for TM333 and Shakti engines in the service of Indian Armed Forces.

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Under this joint venture the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) will be retained by India for High Thrust Low bypass engine (110kn+).

In 2021, Rolls-Royce in India said it was interested in collaborating with India to co-develop and produce engines for India’s AMCA fifth-generation fighter aircraft project.

It has been reported in Financial Express Online that in 2017 both India and the UK had agreed to cooperate in the development of advanced defence projects and this also included the gas turbine engine and air defence missile systems. And, as reported in Financial Express Online, there is a collaborative project Defence Research and Development Organisation and the British engine maker Rolls Royce on jet engine technology.

According to reports Kishore Jayaraman, president of Rolls-Royce India and South Asia, has said that if a partnership is formed, the Indian government will hold the Intellectual Property (IP) rights for the engines.

According to company officials, Rolls-Royce feels it can be an effective partner for AMCA’s engine manufacturing in India. This area represents the future – to co-develop, co-manufacture, and co-create.  And it is consistent with India’s indigenous design and manufacturing drive and the Atmanirbhar way.

For the Rafale fighters, Rolls Royce has offered a Eurojet EJ200 version with 110-120KN thrust. The SAFRAN-DRDO joint venture is planned with complete ToT and is based on the M88 engine base type.

On the other hand the United States’ interest in the fighter engine programme has lately been rekindled. Due to American reluctance to share core or hot engine technology, the India-US Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) collaboration on jet engine technology was postponed in October 2019. Within the DTTI framework, a joint working group on jet engine technology was subsequently disbanded. However, in the first development phase of the AMCA project, a commercially available GE-414 engine will be purchased and installed.

There is no agreement yet in place between DRDO and RR, since the NGFA 110kn+ is not expected to begin development until 2030. Depending on the final cost of the engine project, a joint IP is also considered in addition to an Indian-only IP.

Approximately 250 GE-404 84KN engines are required to power the LCA Mk1/1A. India has ordered only half of the requirement from GE. The GE-414’s other two opponents are the Rolls Royce EJ 200 engine and the Safran M-88 – 4 engine.

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The facility will be set up with an investment of Rs 1200 crore ($150 million) and is expected to create about 1,000 high-skilled jobs in Telangana. The MRO will also give a significant boost to Hyderabad International Airport and the Telangana Aviation ecosystem.

Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao welcomed the Safran group’s decision to select Hyderabad for its mega aeroplane engine MRO.

The MRO facility in Hyderabad will overhaul their market leading LEAP 1A and Leap 1B aero engines used by Indian and foreign commercial airlines. This is also reported to be the biggest MRO Shop on the Safran aircraft engine MRO network globally.

This world class engine MRO facility is expected to have a huge multiplier effect on the local aerospace manufacturing ecosystem, with a potential to attract further investments and create high value jobs in the state.

Safran has recently established two mega aerospace projects in Hyderabad. The Safran electrical and power factory produces engine wire harnesses and the Safran aircraft engine factory manufactures critical aero engine parts for LEAP engines.

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Florent Chauvancy, EVP OEM Sales, Safran Helicopter Engines and Amitabh Bhatt, CEO, HAL’s Bangalore Complex signed the MoU at the ground breaking ceremony, on 14 March, of a 1,000 sqm training and office facility and a 3,800 sqm international class shop facility to provide MRO services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters.

HE-MRO will be operational by the end of 2023 with a capacity to repair 50 engines a year and a full-capacity goal of 150 engines in the coming years. It will also bring employment opportunities to over 60 qualified engineers and technicians of the region. The facility has an expansion capacity for other engines in the future.

With a fleet of over 1000 engines, including 250 TM333 and over 500 Shakti, India’s Armed Forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines and the manufacturer power 100% of HAL-produced helicopters.

Shakti is the Indian variant of the Safran Ardiden 1H1, co-developed with HAL. HAL has produced over 500 plus Shakti engines till date successfully. Shakti is installed on HAL’s Dhruv and Rudra and has also been selected to power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The Ardiden 1U variant powers the new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine aircraft. The engine was certified by DGCA (India) on July 26, 2021.

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The copter, which is called the ALH Mark-IV version and is known by its military name ‘Rudra’, was used in Eastern Ladakh during the stand-off with China. The IAF has one squadron of 14 to 16 copters and is looking to get at least three more squadrons. The Army also operates the ‘Rudra’.

A senior functionary told The Tribune that “more Rudra are being purchased and a case is being moved to the Ministry of Defence”. The copter did “very well” in the sub-sector north (SSN) — the military name for high-altitude plateau and sensitive Depsang plateau in Northern Ladakh, the functionary added. Helipads in these locations are at an altitude of more than 15,000 ft.

Produced by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the copters are adapted for high altitudes and powered by ‘shakti engines’ that can take it to 20,000 ft. The engine is designed and made under a joint venture between Safran of France and the HAL.

The weapon fitment on ALH Mk-IV includes a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket pods and air-to-air missile. The copter is expected to be equipped with the newly made anti-tank missile, Helina.

The copter can be used for anti-tank warfare and close air support for ground troops. The maximum take-off weight of the helicopter is 5,500 kg and it can carry a payload of 2,600 kg.

The helicopter has multifunctional displays and an automatic flight control system for pilots.

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