Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines, a subsidiary of the French aerospace group Safran, signed a long-term agreement on Wednesday to produce and supply turbine ring forgings in superalloys for the CFM LEAP engine programme. According to reports from PSU Watch, the contract was signed by Praveen B, General Manager, Foundry & Forge Division, HAL, and Dominique Dupuy, Senior Vice President – Purchasing, Safran Aircraft Engines at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. The signing was witnessed by Ravi K, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL, and Jayakrishnan S, CEO (Bengaluru Complex), HAL. In a post on X, HAL confirmed that the agreement represents a significant milestone for the partnership between HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines. The multi-year contract marks a significant expansion of the long-standing partnership between the two companies, with the latest announcement specifically supporting the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiatives.
Under the agreement, HAL will manufacture near-net shape turbine ring forgings for the LEAP engine at its state-of-the-art Ring Rolling facility at HAL's Foundry & Forge Division in Bengaluru. As reported by PSU Watch, these superalloy components are designed for high-temperature applications in the rotating section of LEAP aero engines and play a critical role in engine performance and reliability. The LEAP engine, a product of a joint venture between GE and Safran, powers commercial airliners like the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX, and COMAC C919, according to ET Now. These superalloy ring forgings are used in elevated-temperature applications of the rotating section of the aero-engine and are critical to engine performance and reliability. The partnership represents a significant milestone for the collaboration between HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines, according to the company's statement.
HAL shares closed at ₹4,578.95, down ₹2.30 or 0.05 per cent from the previous close of ₹4,581.25 on the BSE on Wednesday. According to ET Now, the stock has delivered 1.37 per cent returns in the past one week, 5.19 per cent in six months, and 4.17 per cent on a year-to-date basis. Over longer periods, the defence PSU shares have shown strong performance with 137.57 per cent gains in three years and 725.71 per cent in five years.
Speaking on the occasion, Ravi K, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL, emphasized the significance of this multi-year contract, stating that "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." As reported by PSU Watch, he highlighted that the partnership would enable HAL to expand its footprint in the international civil aerospace market while demonstrating its ability to manufacture complex aero-engine components to global standards. Dominique Dupuy from Safran expressed enthusiasm about continuing the partnership, noting that the agreement aligns with their strategy of building a locally integrated supply chain as they ramp up production of LEAP engines to meet rising global demand. This partnership represents not only a significant business opportunity but also an important step towards developing advanced manufacturing technologies and capabilities that will support future aero-engine programmes in India.
