Safran extends engine support commitments in Thailand

Safran Helicopter Engines and Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) have signed an agreement to extend their support for helicopter engines used by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Thai parapublic operators. 

The agreement marks a new stage in a partnership that began in 2017, under which Safran supports Makila engines used on H225 helicopters operated by the Royal Thai Air Force. 

This new agreement broadens the scope of support and services provided through this partnership, covering more operators such as the Royal Thai Navy, as well as new engine models, such as the Arrius and the Arriel. 

It also optimises the technical support provided by Safran to include inventory management, and confirms TAI as national distributor of Safran spare parts.

The partnership with TAI covers some 50 engines, and is based on a global support package (GSP) service model, which guarantees engine availability to military and parapublic operators. 

It is executed via TAI, the main aircraft repair and maintenance service provider in Thailand, and in partnership with Safran, TAI provides helicopter engine line maintenance, depot repair, inventory management and technical support expertise to ensure engine availability to government operators.

Under the GSP, the customer receives a commitment to have serviceable engines available whenever they need them, and other GSP principles include budget stability, a fixed price per engine flying hour, and a technical partnership with the OEM.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces operate Makila-powered H225M and Arriel-powered fleets of H125M, H145M, AS365N3+ and H155 rotorcraft, while individual operators include the air force, army, navy, police and survey department.

The partnership is managed by Safran Helicopter Engines Asia based in Singapore, supporting more than 1,000 Safran helicopter engines in Southeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent.