Avio Aero Partners with Safran and MTU Aero Engines on Europe’s Next Generation of Military Helicopters
Engine experts Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines and Avio Aero plan to develop the future ENGHE (European Next Generation Helicopter Engine), a new 100% European engine for Europe’s next generation of military rotorcraft, scheduled to enter into service around 2040.
At the 2025 Paris Air Show, a long-term partnership agreement was signed to this effect.
The partners are convinced European armed forces need a new engine with advanced design maturity and affordable operating and maintenance costs. Workshare will be distributed equally between Safran, MTU and Avio Aero.
This increased partnership underscores the progress made on the project over the past two years: Safran and MTU announced their collaboration on a new helicopter engine in 2023.
Last year, the two companies established a 50/50 joint venture, EURA (EUropean Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance), to develop the engine. Now, Avio Aero will contribute its expertise and capabilities in military helicopter engines.
CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines Cédric Goubet commented, “We are delighted to extend our cooperation in the field of future military helicopter engines with Avio Aero. The next step in this decisive cooperation to strengthen Europe's autonomy in the field of defense and security will be to respond to the specific call for a future helicopter engine within the European Defence Fund, with the versatile European team of top European aerospace partners that has already been set up under the coordination of EURA.”
Chief Program Officer of MTU Aero Engines Michael Schreyögg commented, “Achieving breakthrough success requires a strong alliance of industry leaders from across the continent. The fact that Avio Aero, MTU and Safran have joined forces underlines the importance of this program in further reinforcing European sovereignty and strengthening the European supply chain. Together, we are starting the next chapter in Europe’s defense history and adding another success story to our record of cooperation. By maintaining strong relationships and involving partners across Europe, we are shaping the future.”
CEO of Avio Aero Riccardo Procacci commented, “We are proud to join forces with Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines to collaborate on the development of a European turboshaft engine that will power the next generation military rotorcraft. This agreement is a major opportunity for the aerospace industry to work together in support of Europe’s strategic autonomy and technological leadership. At Avio Aero, we are excited to play a key role in this collaboration, offering our industrial capabilities and expertise in turboshaft engine development to meet future needs of European armed forces.”
During the ceremony, Mr. Sean White, European Defence Agency’s director for Industry, Synergies and Enablers, praised the signatories and highlighted the urgency and significance of cross-border industrial cooperation for reinforcing the continent’s sovereignty and supply chain security.
This partnership between Avio Aero, MTU and Safran Helicopter Engines will enhance theproposal for the European Defence Fund’s specific call for a next-generation helicopter engine. The proposal will be coordinated by EURA and submitted to the European Commission in October 2025.
The future ENGHE (European Next Generation Helicopter Engine) will feature technologies that will increase its efficiency while reducing its operating and maintenance costs.
It will be particularly well suited to the ENGRT (European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies) and NGRC (Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability) projects. ENGHE’s characteristics will provide these future helicopters with enhanced capabilities, such as greater range, higher speed, improved maneuverability and increased availability.
In addition to these improvements, the engine will also feature reduced fuel burn, be 100% compatible with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and incorporate enhanced electric hybridization.