Turbomeca Strengthening Partnerships in India

Turbomeca, the exclusive helicopter engine manufacturer from the Safran Group, is focussed on the Indian market wherein both military and civil helicopter demand is growing. It has a strong partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and will be expanding the same, even while looking at partnerships with the private sector.

Talking to SP’s ShowNews, Philippe Couteaux, Vice President and General Manager of Turbomeca, said there were many programmes that the company was involved in with HAL. The light combat helicopter (LCH) of HAL which is entering service by the end of 2015 would be powered by Ardiden 1H1 engines. Similarly it would be powering the light utility helicopter (LUH) programme of the HAL which has plans of producing about 60 to 65 helicopters in a year.

Turbomeca, he said, has been in a relationship of 50 years. The first engine for HAL was the Artouste IIIB turbine installed in the Alouette III (known as Chetak) and Lama (Cheetah). It also powers the Dhruv, advanced light helicopter. Turbomeca has over 250 Shakti engines. The Ardiden 1U/Shakti1U on the LUH allows the helicopter to fly at 6,500 m (20,000 feet).

The company, he said, had recently been signed by Airbus Helicopters to focus on one engine type for its X4 programme. Airbus Helicopters required more power and have lower fuel consumption and Turbomeca’s Arrano provided that. “It provides 10 per cent more power.” The programme is under development and would be entering service by 2018.

Turbomeca is a world leader in helicopter engines and has about 10 per cent (6000 employees) of the Safran group as also in terms of revenues. It has the largest range of engines from 400 hp to the RTM322 with 2270 shp for the military market.