HAL signs long-term pact with Safran to supply turbine ring forgings for LEAP engines

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has signed a long-term agreement with France's Safran Aircraft Engines for the production and supply of turbine ring forgings in superalloys for the CFM LEAP engine programme, the state-owned aerospace major said on Wednesday.

Under the agreement, HAL will manufacture near-net shape ring forgings for the LEAP engine at its Ring Rolling facility at the Foundry and Forge Division in Bengaluru.

The superalloy ring forgings are used in high-temperature applications in the rotating section of aero-engines and are considered critical to engine performance and reliability, HAL said in a statement.

Forging is a fundamental manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using compressive forces.

The contract was signed by Praveen B, General Manager of HAL's Foundry and Forge Division, and Dominique Dupuy, Senior Vice President (Purchasing) at Safran Aircraft Engines, in the presence of HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K and Jayakrishnan S, CEO of HAL's Bangalore Complex.

Ravi K said the agreement reflected the growing confidence of global aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in HAL's technological capabilities and manufacturing expertise.

"HAL and Safran share a longstanding and trusted partnership that has evolved over several decades. The signing of this long-term contract reflects the growing confidence of global aerospace OEMs in HAL's technological capabilities and manufacturing excellence," he said.

“By contributing to the LEAP engine programme, we are expanding our footprint in the international civil aerospace market and demonstrating our ability to manufacture complex aero-engine components to global standards,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

Ravi K added that the partnership would also help develop advanced manufacturing technologies and capabilities that could support future aero-engine programmes in India.

Safran Aircraft Engines Senior Vice President Dominique Dupuy said the agreement was in line with the company's strategy of developing a locally integrated supply chain as it ramps up production of LEAP engines to meet rising demand.

"We are very enthusiastic about continuing this partnership with HAL. This cooperation is fully aligned with our strategy to develop a supply chain that is as locally integrated as we ramp up LEAP engine production to meet the growing demand," he said.