Bengaluru, July 22: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a leading defense and aerospace company in India, has signed a long-term agreement with France’s Safran Aircraft Engines. This partnership focuses on the production and supply of superalloy turbine ring forgings for the CFM LEAP engine program. The agreement is set to strengthen India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and enhance the country’s role in the global aerospace supply chain.
HAL announced the deal on social media, stating, “HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines have signed a long-term agreement for the production and supply of turbine ring forgings in superalloy for the CFM LEAP engine program.” The agreement was formalized during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, with HAL’s General Manager of the Foundry and Forge Division, Praveen B., and Safran Aircraft Engines’ Senior Vice President of Purchasing, Dominique Dupuy, present. HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Ravi K., and Bengaluru Complex CEO, Jayakrishnan S., also attended the event.
Under this agreement, HAL will manufacture near-net shape superalloy ring forgings for the LEAP engine at its state-of-the-art ring rolling facility in Bengaluru. These specialized metal ring forgings are crucial for maintaining optimal performance and reliability in aircraft engines, particularly in areas subjected to extreme temperatures and high speeds.
The LEAP engine is developed by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran, and is used in popular passenger aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX, and Comac C919. HAL’s involvement in this global program is seen as a significant achievement for the Indian aerospace industry.
Ravi K. emphasized that HAL has maintained a strong and reliable partnership with Safran for decades. He noted that this new long-term agreement reflects the increasing trust that leading aerospace companies have in HAL’s technical capabilities and manufacturing quality.
He added that by contributing to the LEAP engine program, HAL will strengthen its presence in the international civil aviation market. Furthermore, this partnership will play a vital role in developing advanced manufacturing technologies and capabilities for future aerospace engine programs in India.
Dominique Dupuy, Senior Vice President at Safran Aircraft Engines, expressed enthusiasm about advancing the partnership with HAL. He mentioned that the company is ramping up LEAP engine production to meet growing global demand, and developing a local supply chain is a key part of their strategy.
Additionally, HAL and Safran have established a joint venture in Bengaluru aimed at designing, developing, and producing next-generation helicopter engines. This joint venture is currently working on the ‘Aravali’ engine for the Indian Army’s future 13-ton capacity Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH).
During the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, Bharat Forge Limited also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the France-Canada company Flying Whales. This partnership aims to develop, manufacture, and deploy advanced airships for India’s defense and strategic needs.
These airships will have a cargo capacity of up to 60 tons and incorporate modern technologies such as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), minimal ground infrastructure requirements, and hybrid-electric propulsion. Both companies will work on establishing the manufacturing, integration, and production of these airships in India, enhancing the country’s self-reliance in the strategically important aerospace sector and strengthening indigenous capabilities in defense.
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