MoD eyes to give push to HAL's proposed chopper project in Goa

Ministry of Defence has decided to pursue Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) project on helicopter maintenance. The project is about repair and overhaul of engines that are fitted on HAL-designed and manufactured helicopters.

Panaji:The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is planning to move forward with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) proposed project of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul in Goa, which failed to take off despite announcement in 2016.

Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said he would "revive" the proposed project, for which land has already been acquired.

Former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had announced this project in October 2016. It was proposed to be set up at Honda village in Sattari taluka of north Goa.

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.

"The land required for the facility has already been procured and it needs to start immediately... I will have to go through the agreement," he said.

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 will be maintained at this facility," he said.

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.

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