The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has established an Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) that would cater to the entire rocket engine manufacturing for the Indian Space Research Organisation. The cost of constructing ICMF is said to be about Rs 208 crore.

On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the state-of-the-art ICMF. The facility covers an area of 4,500 square metres, housing over 70 hi-tech equipment and testing facilities for producing cryogenic (CE20) and semi-cryogenic (SE2000) engines for Indian rockets.

In 2013, an MOU was signed between HAL and ISRO for setting up the facility for manufacturing cryogenic engine modules at HAL, Aerospace Division. It was subsequently amended in 2016 to establish ICMF with an investment of Rs 208 crore.

Reportedly, the commissioning of all the critical equipment for the manufacturing and assembly requirements has been completed. HAL said that the pre-production activities, which involve preparation of the process, quality plans, and drawings, have also started.

Founded in 1940, HAL is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company. Headquartered in Bangalore, it is one of the world’s largest and oldest aerospace manufacturers. HAL Aerospace Division manufactures liquid propellant tanks and launches vehicle structures of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle etc.

Today, cryogenic engines are launched vehicles’ most widely used worldwide. Due to the complex nature of the cryogenic engine, only the USA, France, Japan, China and Russia have mastered the cryogenic technology.