Today: 25 May 2025
15 February 2023
1 min read

HAL to provide support for MQ-9B remotely piloted aircrafts

HAL is the foremost Indian public sector aerospace and defence agency, and its vast experience in the domain of aero-engine technology makes it our natural partner in India…reports Asian Lite News

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (GA-ASI) have jointly announced that turbo-propeller engines which power the state-of-art MQ-9B Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) will be supported by the HAL Engine Division at Bengaluru for the Indian market.

“HAL has been manufacturing and providing MRO support for TPE 331-5 engines for the last 40 years. We are also establishing facilities for manufacturing TPE 331-12B engines for the HTT-40 project.

“The engine used on the MQ-9B RPAS belongs to the same family of engines with upgraded configuration to adapt to the RPAS technology. I am glad that HAL Engine Division, Bengaluru would be providing MRO support to the engine for MQ-9B RPAS, one of the most sophisticated equipment in the world,” HAL Chairman and Managing Director, C.B. Ananthakrishnan said.

“GA-ASI is proud to collaborate with HAL on this prestigious project,” General Atomics Global Corporation’s Chief Executive Dr. Vivek Lall said. “HAL is the foremost Indian public sector aerospace and defence agency, and its vast experience in the domain of aero-engine technology makes it our natural partner in India.”

Though the turboprop engine fitted onboard the MQ-9B HALE RPAS looks similar to other commercial engines in its category, it is unique in its configuration and operation, requiring special training and equipment to maintain, repair and overhaul.

The Expression of Interest was exchanged between Lall, and HAL’s Executive Director, Engines and IMGT, B.Krishna Kumar in the presence of Bengaluru Complex CEO Mihir Kanti Mishra.

GA-ASI and HAL eagerly look forward to formulating a comprehensive engine MRO program for upcoming HALE RPAS projects. This joint collaboration echoes India’s clarion call for ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance), while underscoring the deep industrial connection between US and Indian aerospace companies.

ALSO READ-‘US expanding cooperation with India to address global challenges’

Previous Story

India-Russia defence partnership touches new heights at Aero India  

Next Story

Lankan envoy meets Nirmala ahead of G20 FMs Meeting

Latest from -Top News

UAE bakery aid reaches Gaza

The convoy is a crucial component of the UAE’s ongoing humanitarian strategy under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, which prioritises urgent food aid. A major humanitarian relief convoy has successfully entered the Gaza

Tech giants unite for Stargate UAE

This marks the beginning of a strategic partnership involving G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco, and SoftBank Group, all coming together under the banner of international AI leadership. In a landmark announcement that

‘Make It in Emirates’ boosts Dh11b projects

The event welcomed more than 122,000 visitors — a 20-fold increase over its previous edition — and drew participation from over 720 local and international industrial, financial, and technology entities. The fourth

UAE leads Arab health push in Genevaa

UAE Health Minister Al Owais highlights Arab unity at WHO Assembly, reaffirming commitment to global health, crisis response, and sustainable healthcare innovation for the future. The UAE underscored its regional leadership in

Will tackle terrorism together: UAE backs India 

The UAE reaffirmed strong support for India’s fight against terrorism during a high-level Indian delegation visit, highlighting shared security goals and condemning cross-border terrorism after the Pahalgam attack. In a powerful show
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Space sector startups boom in India

At present, India accounts for only about two per cent

Washington pays price for Kissinger’s realpolitik folly

For their pipeline to Beijing, Kissinger, Nixon and the Secretary