A major producer of turbojet engines for aeroplanes and a leading global helicopter turbine manufacturer, Turbomeca, a Safran group company, envisages that India would be a growing marketplace for helicopters. Presenting the “Indian Market Forecast 2019” at the end of the Turbomeca Operators Symposium held at New Delhi on October 9, Philippe Couteaux, Vice President and General Manager, Airframes, Turbomeca, said that 81 per cent of the global helicopter deliveries between 2012 and 2015 will be in India, China and Russia; and 50 per cent in the 2025-29 period.

Couteaux said that there will be a demand for 700 new helicopters in India in the next seven years, of which 30 per cent will be civil and 70 per cent military. Sixty-six per cent of the military helicopter will be for transport and 34 per cent for specialised attack. Likewise, 25 per cent of civil helicopters will be for para-public police; 44 per cent for utility; 14 per cent for oil and gas; nine per cent for emergency medical services (EMS), charter and tourism purpose; and six per cent for corporate and private use. The company, he said, is preparing for the future with its Arriel 2+ family; the TM800, which is the future solution for four/five-tonne helicopters; and Ardiden, the state-of-the-art solution including for six/eight-tonne helicopters.

Satish Kirtikar, Managing Director, Turbomeca India, gave details of their 50 years of long-lasting cooperation with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), starting from 1962 when Artouste was licensed to HAL to power Chetak and Cheetah helicopters; partnership between HAL and Tubomeca in 2003, Ardiden 1H maiden flight aboard Dhruv in 2007, Ardiden 1H1/Shakti certification in 2009 and finally Shakti’s entry into service in 2012. Stating Shakti as an Indian engine, Kirtikar informed that there is a firm order of 159 Dhruv by the Indian Army to HAL, which is likely to enter service this year. “Prototype testing of Shakti has begun,” he said. Kirtikar further stated that Turbomeca through its partnership with HAL is supporting national programmes like advanced light helicopter (ALH), light combat helicopter (LCH), Jaguar; and is also preparing for the upcoming light utility helicopter (LUH), Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH), etc.

The Safran group company, which is celebrating 60 years of its relationship with the Indian armed forces and industry, has over 2,000 employees in India, engaged in production, design and services. It has systems and equipment onboard more than 700 aircraft; as also optronics, navigation and other systems and equipment for the Indian Army and Navy. Besides the military engines, there are 140 civil Turbomeca engines in operations in India. Safran is now identifying and grasping new opportunities in line with its group activities.

Optimistic about the Indian market, the company officials announced that they would continue and develop participation on the development projects in aerospace, defence and security. And in order to build up its footprint in India, the company is looking forward to strategic partnerships with both public and private sector in the country. Without revealing the names of the key private players it is planning to partner within India, the officials stated that discussions are on with key players and Turbomeca will support the growing Indian market for civil and military helicopter. “We are continuing to invest in India for the long-term; fulfilling the offset obligations,” said Couteaux.