Hical Technologies, a Bengaluru-based precision electromechanical manufacturer serving the global aerospace and defence industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Safran Aerosystems to explore the creation of a joint venture for manufacturing complex systems for the Dassault Rafale programme in India. The proposed joint venture will focus on manufacturing sophisticated equipment, including complex fluid and fuel systems and related assemblies, for Rafale aircraft delivered under the Make in India initiative. The partnership is expected to expand the role of Indian private-sector companies in aerospace and defence supply chains and strengthen local manufacturing capabilities for critical aircraft systems.
“This proposed partnership reflects Safran Aerosystems’ continued commitment to India and to the development of its private-sector aerospace ecosystem,” said Joel Berkoukchi, CEO, Fluid & Fuel Systems Division, Safran Aerosystems. “As programmes such as Rafale demand depth, quality and scale in the supply chain, Hical’s expanding capacity – including its new facility in Devanahalli – will be important in supporting the advanced manufacturing requirements for complex fuel and fluid systems and other critical equipment in India.”
The MoU builds on Hical’s existing involvement in the Rafale programme. The company has already been selected to work directly with Dassault Aviation on control systems for the Rafale aircraft. The proposed joint venture would allow Hical to expand its role into the manufacturing of more complex systems and assemblies.
The proposed collaboration comes as Hical expands its aerospace manufacturing capacity in India. The company recently inaugurated a new aerospace manufacturing facility in Devanahalli near Bengaluru. The facility is part of Hical’s plans to increase its manufacturing capacity and develop capabilities for advanced aerospace and defence programmes.
The new facility is expected to support Hical’s work across electromechanical systems and other specialised aerospace applications. The company is also building its capabilities to serve both Indian and international customers from its manufacturing operations in the country.
“This MoU marks an important milestone for Hical as we move into more complex systems manufacturing for demanding aerospace platforms such as Rafale. By combining Safran Aerosystems’ technology leadership with Hical’s growing manufacturing footprint in India, we aim to support the Make in India vision and demonstrate that critical aerospace systems can be designed, industrialised and produced competitively in India for the world,” said Yashas Jaiveer, Managing Director, Hical Technologies.
Hical Technologies is headquartered in Bengaluru and specialises in high-precision electromechanical systems for aerospace and defence applications. The company supplies global aerospace and defence original equipment manufacturers and provides engineering and manufacturing capabilities for complex systems.
Its product and manufacturing capabilities cover precision electromechanical systems and related aerospace and defence applications. The company is also focused on supporting the development of India’s domestic aerospace manufacturing base. The Devanahalli facility adds to Hical’s existing manufacturing infrastructure and the new capacity being developed at Hosur. The combined expansion is intended to provide the company with greater scale to support current and future aerospace and defence programmes from India. Hical said the facilities will enable it to address growing customer requirements while maintaining manufacturing standards related to quality, reliability, traceability and process discipline.
