Parrikar witnesses maiden run of HAL’s 25 kN aero engine

Bengaluru, Dec 14: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday witnessed a significant event that boosted the Make in India mandate of his government in Bengaluru.

Parrikar was at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd's (HAL) Engine Division on Old Madras Road for the inaugural run of the core 25 kN indigenous aero engine.

Hailed as a landmark event for the aerospace industry and the Make in India movement, the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25) maiden run promises a bright era for India's home-grown aeronautical projects.

HAL says the engine can be used for basic, intermediate and advanced trainer aircraft. "The engine can also be used on business jets and five tone class aircraft in single engine configuration and on aircraft of up to nine tonne class in the twin engine configuration," says an HAL official.

HAL aims to produce indigenously designed and developed aero engines within a time frame of six years beginning 2013.

"In the first phase of the programme, the design of the full engine and manufacture and testing of the technology demonstrator of the core engine are covered. In the subsequent phases the manufacture and testing of the full engine will follow," says the official.

HAL's Bengaluru-based Aero Engine Research & Design Centre (AERDC), HAL, had taken up the design and development of the 25 kN thrust class turbofan engine for basic military trainer aircraft.

In future, HAL hopes to design and development Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE-1200) for helicopters of 3.5 tonne class in the single engine configuration (for LUH) and for 5 to 8 ton class in twin engine configuration (for ALH and LCH).

6000 engines needed in the next 20 years

Speaking on the occasion, Parrikar asked HAL to stay competitive and play key role in supplying 4000 to 6000 helicopter engines in the next 15-20 years.

"There is a lot of potential in future, with the Make in India programme and other initiatives. So it becomes important that HAL uses its experience and in collaboration with private firms, makes the best use of it. You must not think private guys are only for competition, instead you must take them along and cooperate with them," Parrikar said.

He said despite some good work in aeronautics and aerospace sectors, India has failed to pass the threshold barrier to become best in the world.

"We'll have to take quick decisions, expedite processes and as the landscape changes, I must tell you that Bengaluru will play a huge role," he said. He complimented HAL for keeping the HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft project as per the schedule.

OneIndia News