Panaji: The operations of the joint venture plant between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and France-based Safran company to maintenance, repair and overhaul of Helicopter engine in Goa would begin as soon as possible, said Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik on Sunday.
He said that all the hurdles that were encountered for starting of the plant located at Honda village in North Goa are cleared now.
“As far as the plant was concerned, it was conceived during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar as Union Defence Minister. There were some negotiations which were pending. They have been completed now,” Naik told reporters at Vasco on a sidelines of a function.
“Now the project will start as soon as possible,” he said without giving any particular date for starting of this ambitious project.
Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had announced this project in October 2016.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru and French company, Safran Helicopter Engines, had entered into a joint venture – Helicopter Engine MRO Private Limited – to set up this helicopter maintenance plant in Goa.
As per the plan, the facility is expected to have a total investment of Rs 170 crore. It will be invested by both the parties in a phased manner.
It is about maintenance, repair and overhaul of engines that are fitted on HAL-designed and manufactured helicopters.
The engines of advanced light helicopters of various versions, light combat helicopters and future light utility helicopters that are common between HAL and Safran would be maintained at this facility.
With a fleet of over 1,000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India’s armed forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines.
Shakti is the Indian designation for the Safran Ardiden 1H1, co-developed with HAL and produced under licence.
