Under the agreement, HAL will manufacture near-net shape ring forgings for the LEAP engine at its Ring Rolling facility at HAL’s Foundry & Forge Division in Bengaluru.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines have signed a long-term agreement for the production and supply of turbine ring forgings in superalloys for the CFM LEAP engine programme.Under the agreement, HAL will manufacture near-net shape ring forgings for the LEAP engine at its state-of-the-art Ring Rolling facility at HAL’s Foundry & Forge Division in Bengaluru. These 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.While the LEAP engine -- a product of a joint venture between GE and Safran -- powers commercial airliners like the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX, and COMAC C919 CFM International, HAL’s latest announcement is meant to support the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiatives.The contract was signed by Praveen B, General Manager, Foundry & Forge Division, HAL, and Dominique Dupuy, Senior Vice President – Purchasing, Safran Aircraft Engines at the Farnborough International Airshow on Wednesday. At the event, Ravi K, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL, and his colleague Jayakrishnan S, who is CEO of Bangalore Complex, were also present.Trusted partnershipSpeaking on the occasion, Ravi K said, “HAL and Safran share a longstanding and trusted partnership that has evolved over several decades. The signing of this long-term contract reflects the growing confidence of global aerospace OEMs in HAL’s technological capabilities and manufacturing excellence.”He also said that “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.”According to him, the 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.Safran’s Dominique Dupuy said, “We are very enthusiastic about continuing this partnership with HAL. This cooperation is fully aligned with our strategy to develop a supply chain that is as locally integrated, as we ramp up LEAP engine production to meet growing demand.”The two have also formed a dedicated joint venture in Bengaluru to design, develop, and produce new-generation helicopter engines. Its primary objective is providing the Aravalli engine for the Indian military’s future 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH).Bharat Forge MoU with FLYING WHALESAt the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, Bharat Forge Ltd signed an MoU with FLYING WHALES, a French-Canadian global firm, to jointly develop, manufacture and field, advanced airships for India’s defence and strategic operational requirements.At the core of the collaboration is the LCA60T platform- FLYING WHALES next-generation heavy-lift airship capable of transporting up to 60 tonnes of cargo with vertical take-off and landing capability, minimal ground infrastructure requirements, and hybrid-electric propulsion, said the company.The two companies will work towards establishing in India the manufacture, integration and production of FLYING WHALES-Bharat Forge airships for defence applications, creating sovereign capabilities in a strategically important aerospace segment.Published on July 22, 2026
