HAL inks agreement with Turbomeca to maintain, repair engines.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has inked an agreement for a joint venture with French aerospace firm Turbomeca to maintain, repair and overhaul aeronautical engines in India and overseas, HAL said recently.

'The JV will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for Turbomeca and Shakti engines fitted on our helicopters, being operated by military and civilian customers,' HAL said in a statement.

An agreement to set up the JV was signed by officials of both the firms at Le Bourget on the margins of Paris Air Show earlier in the day.

With a fleet of about 1,000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti-make, Indian armed forces are the largest operators of Turbomeca engines in the country.

Shakti is the Indian version of Turbomeca Ardiden 1 engine, co-developed with HAL and produced at its helicopter division in Bengaluru under licence.

'The JV is a new step in our long partnership with HAL to offer MRO support to customers in India and other countries,' Turbomeca vice-president Franck Saudo said on the occasion.


BS