SAFHAL Aravalli

History

The SAFHAL Aravalli is a new-generation high-power helicopter turboshaft engine being jointly developed in India by SAFHAL Helicopter Engines, a joint venture of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines. The engine is intended to power HAL's planned 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval derivative, the 12.5-ton Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).

The Aravalli program targets the 3,500-4,000 shp power class. Its scope covers design, development, manufacture, supply and lifecycle support. The engine remains under development and the supplied sources do not identify a completed Aravalli prototype or an operational installation.

Aravalli extends the long HAL-Safran helicopter-engine relationship beyond the Artouste and Shakti engine programs into a substantially higher power class intended for medium-lift rotorcraft.

Development

HAL and Safran announced plans to establish SAFHAL in 2023 as a joint venture dedicated to new-generation helicopter engines in India. On 30 August 2024, HAL and SAFHAL signed an airframer contract to commence the joint design, development, manufacture, supply and support of the Aravalli engine. The agreement identified both the IMRH and DBMRH as intended applications. The 2024 Safran announcement described the IMRH as a 13-ton medium-lift helicopter and the DBMRH as a 12.5-ton naval derivative.

On 26 August 2026, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines signed a final contract with SAFHAL covering the design, development, manufacture, supply and lifecycle support of Aravalli. Safran described this agreement as launching development and production of the engine. The 2026 Safran announcement confirmed the 3,500-4,000 shp target and stated that the program would combine the design, manufacturing, testing and product-support capabilities of the two parent companies.

The 2026 agreement represents the formally announced start of the Aravalli development and production program, but it should not be confused with completion of production hardware. No supplied source gives a completed-engine date, first test date or service-entry date for Aravalli.

According to HAL reporting cited in 2026, early IMRH prototypes were expected to use an interim engine in roughly the 2,800 shp class rather than Aravalli. This allows development of the helicopter airframe to proceed while the new engine matures separately.

Design

Aravalli is being developed as a high-power turboshaft engine for medium-lift helicopters. The stated target output is 3,500-4,000 shp, equivalent to approximately 2,610-2,983 kW. The supplied sources do not disclose its dimensions, mass, compressor arrangement, turbine configuration, fuel consumption or detailed internal architecture.

SAFHAL is expected to draw on the complementary engineering capabilities of HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines. The program includes advanced engine design, manufacturing processes, comprehensive testing and product support. Safran states that performance, reliability, maintainability and operational effectiveness are central development objectives and that the program is intended to meet international aerospace standards.

The engine is being tailored for the environments in which the IMRH and DBMRH are expected to operate. The program also includes lifecycle support and is intended to expand maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities in India.

Intended applications

The principal application is the planned HAL Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, a 13-ton medium-lift rotorcraft intended for the Indian armed forces and associated with the eventual replacement of India's Mi-17 fleet. Aravalli is also intended for the 12.5-ton Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter, a naval derivative being developed for Indian Navy requirements.

HAL and Safran have also identified possible future civil uses for the engine program. These proposed applications include offshore transportation, utility missions and VVIP transport. They remain future opportunities rather than confirmed operational applications.

Program status

Aravalli remained a development program following the August 2026 final contract. SAFHAL is responsible for bringing together HAL and Safran expertise in engine development, industrialization, testing, manufacturing and long-term support.

The program is significant within the HAL-Safran relationship because Safran stated in 2026 that this was the first time Safran Helicopter Engines had undertaken co-development of an engine in this power class. The engine is therefore not described as a derivative of an existing operational Safran model in the supplied primary material.

No operational Aravalli-powered helicopter, completed production engine, certification date or service-entry date is confirmed by the supplied sources. The IMRH airframe program and the Aravalli propulsion program are therefore proceeding on related but distinct development timelines.

Specifications (Aravalli development target)

General characteristics

• Type: Helicopter turboshaft engine
• Developer: SAFHAL Helicopter Engines, a joint venture of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines
• Intended applications: HAL Indian Multi-Role Helicopter and Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter
• Program status: Under development

Performance

• Target power class: approximately 2,610-2,983 kW (3,500-4,000 shp)

Related equipment

• Shakti engine family: Earlier HAL-Safran helicopter-engine family used by the Advanced Light Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Light Utility Helicopter.
• Artouste: Earlier Safran predecessor engine family associated with HAL's Cheetah and Chetak helicopter programs.
• Indian Multi-Role Helicopter: Planned 13-ton medium-lift helicopter for which Aravalli is being developed as the intended powerplant.
• Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter: Planned 12.5-ton naval derivative of the IMRH that is also intended to use Aravalli.