Safran steps up expansion in India for civil and military aviation and deepens commitment to “Make in India”
HyderabadSafran has announced plans to establish two new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Hyderabad with a combined investment of more than €240 million. The projects include a major centre for CFM International LEAP engines and a separate unit dedicated to the M88 military engine family. Both facilities are scheduled to reinforce service capacity for India’s commercial and defence aviation sectors.
According to a press release issued by Safran, the LEAP engine MRO centre represents a €200 million investment and is expected to begin operations in 2026. The 45,000-square-metre site will support the expanding regional fleet of LEAP engines, which power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. India is the company’s third-largest market, with more than 400 LEAP-powered aircraft in service across five Indian carriers and 2,000 engines on order.
The LEAP facility will scale up to a capacity of 300 shop visits a year and include a next-generation engine test bench. Safran stated that the site will employ more than 250 people at launch and up to 1,100 at full capacity. An on-site training centre is planned to train more than 100 technicians and engineers annually to support workforce development.
Safran also announced a new MRO shop for the M88 engine that powers the Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jet. The €40 million facility, located adjacent to the LEAP centre, will cover 5,000 square metres and is designed to service more than 600 engine modules a year. Employment is expected to reach up to 150 people when fully operational.
The M88 shop will prioritise engines from aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force, which currently flies 36 Rafale aircraft and 47 Mirage 2000 fighters, and has placed an order for 26 Rafale M naval variants. The unit will also handle M88 engines for export customers.
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