Defence major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines signed a long-term agreement for the production and supply of turbine ring forgings in superalloys for the CFM LEAP engine programme. The deal was signed on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.
Superalloy ring forgings are used in elevated-temperature applications of the rotating section of the aero-engine and are critical to engine performance and reliability. Forging is a fundamental manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using compressive forces.
Forging is a fundamental manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using compressive forces.
Under the agreement, HAL will manufacture near-net shape ring forgings for the LEAP engine at its state-of-the-art Ring Rolling facility in Bengaluru.
LEAP engine is an advanced, high-bypass turbofan engine produced by CFM International, which is a joint venture between GE Aerospace and the Safran Aircraft Engines.
The HAL, in a statement, said this multi-year contract marks a "significant milestone" for the partnership between HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines.
The contract was signed by Praveen B, General Manager, Foundry and Forge Division, HAL, and Dominique Dupuy, Senior Vice President, Purchasing, Safran Aircraft Engines, in the presence of Ravi K., Chairman and Managing Director, HAL, and Jayakrishnan S, CEO (Bengaluru complex), HAL.
HAL and Safran share a longstanding and trusted partnership that has evolved over several decades, said Ravi K., adding that the long-term contract reflects the growing confidence of global aerospace OEMs in HAL's technological capabilities and manufacturing excellence.
"By contributing to the LEAP engine programme, we are expanding our footprint in the international civil aerospace market and demonstrating our ability to manufacture complex aero-engine components to global standards," he was quoted as saying in the statement.
This partnership with Safran represents not only a "significant business opportunity" but also an important step towards developing advanced manufacturing technologies and capabilities that will support future aero-engine programmes in India, he added.
