Hindustan Aeronautics to inaugurate cryogenic engine manufacturing facility in Bengaluru

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said that its INR 208 crores integrated cryogenic engine manufacturing facility in Bengaluru will be inaugurated today by Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

The cryogenic engine manufacturing plant will serve the entire rocket engine manufacturing operations of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under one roof for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It will enhance self-reliance in manufacturing hi-thrust rocket engines, said Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Built over an area of 4,500 square meters, the cryogenic engine manufacturing facility in Bengaluru is said to accommodate more than 70 hi-tech equipment and testing facilities for producing cryogenic (CE20) and semi-cryogenic (SE2000) engines for Indian space launch vehicles.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to inaugurate cryogenic engine manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. Photo courtesy of Kalakki at Malayalam Wikipedia.

About nine years ago, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ISRO for setting up the cryogenic engine manufacturing plant for cryogenic engine modules in its aerospace division. The MOU for the cryogenic engine facility was later amended in the year 2016 for establishing an integrated cryogenic engine manufacturing facility.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said that the commissioning of all the highly important equipment for the manufacturing and assembly needs is finished.

The pre-production works, which involve the preparation of the process plans, drawings, quality plans, and others have also been initiated. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited expects to start realizing the modules by next March.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited stated: “HAL Aerospace Division manufactures liquid propellant tanks and launch vehicle structures of PSLV, GSLV MK-II, GSLV Mk-III and also stage integration for GSLV Mk-II. The Aerospace Division entering into manufacture of Cryogenic Engines is a major step in technology upgradation and modernization.”