HAL and SkyPulse may establish a Joint Working Group to evaluate the technical, commercial, financing, and implementation requirements of the proposed programme.
SkyPulse Solutions IFSC Private Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for the acquisition, financing, leasing, deployment, and lifecycle support of HAL-manufactured helicopters. The proposed programme involves up to 30 helicopters, estimated at ₹2,491 crore.
Under the programme, SkyPulse plans to acquire the helicopters in phases, comprising a mix of twin-engine and single-engine platforms, subject to technical and commercial evaluations, financing arrangements, regulatory approvals, and definitive agreements. The initial phase is expected to cover 10 helicopters between 2027 and 2029, followed by 20 additional helicopters from 2030 onwards.
The first inductions are currently planned for FY 2027–28, with subsequent deliveries to be aligned with production availability, financing closure, customer demand, certification, regulatory requirements, and mission needs. The final model-wise composition will be determined based on operational requirements and commercial considerations.
The partnership will explore leasing and financing structures through GIFT City IFSC, including finance and operating leases, direct purchases, sale-and-leaseback arrangements, and other structured financing solutions. These solutions are intended to support the deployment of Indian-manufactured helicopters across emergency medical services, disaster response, search and rescue, regional connectivity, tourism and pilgrimage, government aviation, infrastructure, and charter operations.
The MoU also covers the development of a lifecycle-support ecosystem involving spare parts, maintenance, engineering support, and training. HAL and SkyPulse may establish a Joint Working Group to evaluate the technical, commercial, financing, and implementation requirements of the proposed programme.
According to SkyPulse, the programme could also support skilled employment and training across helicopter operations, engineering, maintenance, and MRO as the fleet is deployed and operationalised.
“This MoU marks an important step towards building a commercially sustainable civil helicopter ecosystem in India. By bringing together HAL’s indigenous helicopter capabilities with SkyPulse’s leasing and financing platform at GIFT City, we aim to create a scalable model for the acquisition, deployment and lifecycle support of Indian-manufactured helicopters,” said Gagan Jacobs, Director, SkyPulse Solutions IFSC Private Limited.
Raju Ranjan Thakur, General Manager (Marketing), HAL, said the cooperation provides a framework to explore new leasing, financing, and mission-support solutions for HAL’s helicopter platforms. He added that the collaboration could help facilitate wider deployment of HAL helicopters across commercial, governmental, and public-service applications while strengthening lifecycle support, training, and MRO capabilities.
The MoU serves as a framework for cooperation between the two organisations. Specific procurement, leasing, financing, maintenance, and mission-support arrangements remain subject to technical, commercial, and financial evaluations, applicable approvals, financing arrangements, and the execution of definitive agreements.
