Aravalli: Why Safran and HAL Are Building a New 3,500–4,000 shp Helicopter Engine
AeroMorning – John Smith – August 26, 2026
On 26 August 2026, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines reached a major contractual milestone by signing, through SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd., the final contract for the joint design, development, manufacture, supply and lifecycle support of the 3,500–4,000 shp Aravalli helicopter engine.
The agreement is a key step in India’s ambition to build sovereign helicopter-engine capabilities while opening a new high-power segment in Safran’s propulsion portfolio.
The programme did not begin in 2026: on 30 August 2024, HAL and SAFHAL had already signed the initial contract to develop the engine for HAL’s 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and 12.5-tonne Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). The 2026 agreement is therefore a subsequent milestone toward development, industrialisation and lifecycle support.
SAFHAL: The 50/50 joint venture
SAFHAL Helicopter Engines is a 50/50 joint venture between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines, established to develop an indigenous helicopter-engine capability spanning design, development, certification, production, sales and lifecycle support.
Beyond a conventional supplier model, HAL and Safran are jointly developing and industrialising a new propulsion system in India, including testing, certification, Indian manufacturing, production, commercialisation, MRO and long-term support.
Why Aravalli matters to India
India has long depended on foreign propulsion technologies for military helicopters. Aravalli marks direct participation in developing a high-power turboshaft, aligned with the Aatmanirbharta policy.
The programme could reduce exposure to export controls, sanctions and geopolitical disruptions while building Indian expertise in turboshaft architecture, compressors and turbines, thermal management, advanced materials, testing, certification, manufacturing and MRO, and stimulating a domestic supply chain.
Why Safran is partnering
For Safran, the 50/50 structure offers strategic value beyond the initial programme economics: Aravalli secures a position in India’s medium/heavy helicopter market via IMRH and DBMRH while sharing development and industrialisation risk with HAL.
It also opens a new power class: the Aneto family is about 2,500–3,000 shp, whereas Aravalli targets 3,500–4,000 shp—up to +33% vs 3,000 shp and +60% vs the 2,500-shp Aneto‑1K. If successful, Aravalli could seed a new high-power engine family for military, naval, civil and export uses.
The lifecycle opportunity
The potential value chain spans:
- engine production
- spare engines
- spare parts
- maintenance and overhaul
- upgrades and technical support
- MRO
The 2026 contract explicitly includes lifecycle support, making long-term MRO central. Future revenues will depend on volumes, localisation, contractual terms and how MRO work is allocated among SAFHAL, HAL and Safran.
The programme could also support replacement of India’s ageing Russian-origin medium-lift fleet. Public discussion has indicated a potential requirement approaching 300 aircraft (not a firm order). As an illustration, 300 twin-engine helicopters would need 600 installed engines, before spares and test assets.
Safran’s power range
| Engine | Approx. power | Representative applications |
|---|---|---|
| Arrano | 1,100–1,300 shp | Airbus H160 |
| Ardiden | ~1,400–2,000 shp | HAL Dhruv, LCH, LUH |
| RTM322 | 2,100–2,600 shp | NH90, AW101 |
| Aneto | 2,500–3,000 shp | AW189K, AW149 and other super-medium/heavy platforms |
| Aravalli | 3,500–4,000 shp | IMRH / DBMRH |
Technological lineage
RTM322 operational heritage → advanced programmes / Tech 3000 → Aneto-generation technologies → Aravalli. This is not an official genealogy: moving from 2,500–3,000 to 3,500–4,000 shp requires major work on airflow, compressor capacity, combustion, turbine loading, cooling, structural strength and mechanical loads. Aravalli is best viewed as a new engine leveraging accumulated know-how.
Competitive landscape
Closest Western analogue: GE’s T901 (~3,000 shp) for ITEP (UH‑60 Black Hawk, AH‑64 Apache), featuring a single-spool core, additive manufacturing, CMCs, advanced cooling and 3D aerodynamics. GE’s T408 (>7,500 shp) targets a different heavy-lift class (CH‑53K). Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6C (~1,600–2,000 shp) is not a direct equivalent. Russia’s VK‑2500 delivers up to 2,400 shp at take-off (2,700 in emergency) and the TV7‑117V 2,800/3,140 shp—closer, but still below Aravalli’s intended take-off power.
The unanswered IP question
Differentiating Background IP (Safran’s pre-existing patents, processes and know-how) and Foreground IP (generated by Aravalli) is critical. Open issues include which patents are licensed and on what terms, exclusivity, royalties, ownership of new patents, treatment of improvements, export rights, what SAFHAL can commercialise outside India, and which high-value components remain in France versus localised in India.
