Hyderabad

Global aerospace and defence firm Safran announced on Wednesday that it will increase its sourcing from India five times as it inaugurated its largest maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for the CFM International LEAP engine in Hyderabad. The launch ceremony was attended virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Safran CEO Olivier Andriès said the company aims to triple its India revenue to more than 3 billion euros by 2030, with half of it expected to come from its operations in the country. He expressed gratitude to the Indian government for its support and said the new MRO centres for LEAP and M88 engines, along with a joint venture with Bharat Electronics Limited, highlight India’s growing significance to the group.

According to Safran, the new LEAP engine MRO facility involves an investment of 200 million euros and will become operational in 2026. The 45,000 square metre site will eventually handle up to 300 engine shop visits annually. India is CFM’s third largest market with over 400 LEAP-powered aircraft currently in service and more than 2,000 engines on order.

The centre will employ over 250 people initially and expand to about 1,100 once it reaches full capacity. A training centre on the premises will prepare more than 100 Indian technicians and engineers every year.

Safran also confirmed a dedicated MRO facility for the M88 engine used in the Rafale fighter aircraft. The 5,000 square metre unit, located near the LEAP site, represents an investment exceeding 40 million euros. It will handle more than 600 engine modules annually and will employ up to 150 personnel. Priority will be given to engines of the Indian Air Force with additional servicing for international clients.

On November 24, Safran signed an agreement with Bharat Electronics Limited to manufacture the Hammer air-to-surface weapon system in India. The Hammer is compatible with Rafale and HAL Tejas aircraft.

Safran has been present in India for over seven decades and today operates 18 facilities employing around 3,000 people.

Addressing the event virtually, Prime Minister Modi said the new facility marks a turning point for India’s aviation sector and strengthens the country’s emergence as a global MRO hub. He said the investment will create new opportunities for Indian youth and reinforce confidence among global players interested in partnering with India.

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The prime minister said India’s domestic aviation market has grown at an unprecedented pace and now ranks among the largest in the world. He noted that earlier most MRO work had to be done overseas, leading to high costs and aircraft downtime. He said the government is focused on developing India into a strong MRO destination to match the rapid expansion of the aviation sector.