Aero India 2023: Argentine Air Force and HAL sign agreement for the maintenance of Lama helicopters

During the course of the international aerospace show Aero India 2023, a delegation from the Argentine Air Force signed a contract with Hindustan Aerospace Industries (HAL) for the supply of spare parts and repair of two-ton class helicopter engines.

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The contract was signed by Brigadier General Xavier Issac, Chief of the Argentine Air Force (FAA) and Mr. C B Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL.

@AeroIndiashow HAL signed a contract with Argentinian Air Force for supply of spares and engine repair of legacy two tonne class helicopters. The contract was signed by Brigadier General Xavier Issac, Chief of Air Force, AAF and Mr C B Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL. pic.twitter.com/X4H7lPMWNs

— HAL (@HALHQBLR) February 15, 2023

Although the specific helicopter model is not mentioned, the only aircraft operated by the FAA, which matches the range of products manufactured by HAL, is the LAMA SA 315B.

Produced under license entirely in India under the name Cheetah since 1976, HAL manufactured and sold 275 units of this model, mainly to the Indian Armed Forces, but also for export.

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See also: Aero India 2023: HAL aims to sell Tejas fighters to Argentina and Egypt

The Cheetah/LAMA SA315B uses the Artouste IIIB engine. Indian manufacture of these engines began in 1962 under license from Turbomeca, France. HAL’s Engine Division also has facilities for overhaul and overhaul of these engines.

Although the LAMAs of the Argentine Air Force will be replaced by the recently acquired Bell 407 GXi, this process will be gradual and will take some time. In the meantime, the contract signed at Aero India 2023 will allow the LAMA engines to be kept in good working order so that these faithful helicopters can continue to provide their essential high mountain rescue mission until their successor arrives.