HAL launches revamped Chetak with new engine

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bangalore-headquartered public sector aerospace firm, has created a new variant of its Chetak helicopter by fitting it with one of the advanced light helicopter's engines. The aircraft was flown with the new engine at HAL's helicopter division here on Tuesday.

HAL was building the French Lama aircraft under licence from what is now Eurocopter, and calling it Chetak, from 1970 when it first struck a deal for the technology. Now the aircraft's Artuoste IIIB engine had been replaced by a TM 333 2B2 engine supplied by French defence firm Snecma Moteurs.

"Chetan is a re-engineered and upgraded version of the Chetak. The project is entirely funded by HAL and received its impetus after HAL's Cheetal helicopter created a world record by landing at an altitude of 25,150 feet on Saser Kangi peak next to the Siachen Glacier," an HAL release said.

The Cheetal itself is an upgraded Cheetah that HAL was building under licence again from the French whose name for it was Alouette III. The Chetan was now more reliable and fuel efficient. Its features will be on display at the upcoming biennial defence aviation trade show, Aero India, the release said.

To date, HAL's main customer for its helicopters as for its other aircraft has been the government. In recent times, the company has been trying to sell it to others, including exports. The engine for the ALH however is not being built in India, especially because the company hasn't secured large orders.

Last Aero India, Snecma Moteurs and HAL announced a deal under which the French firm is to supply some 200 TM 333 2B2 engines for the ALH. HAL is also exploring buying a more powerful engine, which it wants to call Shakti, sources said.