Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines, and Avio Aero—three leading engine specialists—have joined forces to bolster European sovereignty. The companies plan to develop the ENGHE (European Next Generation Helicopter Engine), a fully European engine designed for the next generation of military rotorcraft expected to enter service around 2040. This long-term partnership agreement was formalized at the Paris Air Show.
The partners agree that European armed forces require a new engine offering advanced design maturity alongside affordable operating and maintenance costs. To address this, responsibilities will be shared equally among Safran, MTU, and Avio Aero. This collaboration forms the foundation of a broader European alliance involving additional nations.
This partnership builds on progress made over the past two years: Safran and MTU announced their joint helicopter engine development in 2023 and created a 50/50 joint venture called EURA (European Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance) last year. Avio Aero now brings its military helicopter engine expertise to the consortium.
Mr. Sean White of the European Defence Agency praised the collaboration’s significance during the signing ceremony, emphasizing the importance of cross-border industrial cooperation to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty and secure supply chains.
This partnership will enhance the proposal’s competitiveness for the European Defence Fund’s upcoming call for next-generation helicopter engines. EURA will coordinate the submission to the European Commission in October 2025.
The ENGHE engine will incorporate breakthrough technologies to boost efficiency and reduce lifecycle costs. It will be especially compatible with the ENGRT and NGRC projects, offering future helicopters improved range, speed, maneuverability, and availability. Additional features include reduced fuel consumption, full compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and advanced electric hybridization.
