A cutaway model of HTSE-1200 turboshaft engine at Aero India, 2017

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is developing a new indigenous helicopter engine—the Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) 1200. The announcement follows the first test run of the 25-kN (5,620-lb.) thrust Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) 25. “The HTSE-1200 can be used for helicopters of 3.5-ton class in the single-engine configuration such as the Light Utility Helicopter and for 5 to 8 ton class in twin engine configuration such as the Advanced Light Helicopter and Light Combat Helicopter.


The 1200 kW turboshaft engine is designed to be used as power plant for 3 to 8 ton category helicopters. The HTSE-1200 engine technology demonstrator was assembled and inaugural test run successfully carried out on 12 February 2018 with 76% rpm achieved. The engine was actually tested at sea level at the DefExpo 2018 site for light up, acceleration and stable running at idle speed. The engine is currently under testing with over 240 successful engine runs completed so far. It is also reported that the maiden test flight with the new engine is also planned by HAL by the end of this year.

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