In a major boost to India’s aerospace and defense sectors, French aviation giant Safran has unveiled plans to establish a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad focused on the M88 engines that power Rafale fighter jets. The new entity—Safran Aircraft Engine Services India—is expected to create 150 jobs by the end of 2025, with capacity to expand up to 750 roles over time. This announcement underscores Telangana’s rising prominence as an aerospace hub, with Safran’s growing portfolio of strategic facilities now encompassing four high-tech sites in the state, including existing operations tied to LEAP engine components.
Strategic Expansion: Safran’s New MRO Facility Targets Rafale Engines
Safran, one of the world’s leading aerospace and defense companies, is set to deepen its presence in India with the launch of Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, a dedicated MRO unit for military jet engines. The facility will focus on servicing the M88 engines, the core powerplant of Dassault’s Rafale fighter aircraft, which forms a crucial part of India's air defense fleet.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Safran Aerospace General Manager Pierre Fernandez and Telangana Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, signaling continued high-level engagement between French aerospace stakeholders and Indian state leadership.
This new venture marks Safran’s fourth facility in Hyderabad and will complement the company’s existing civil and military aviation manufacturing infrastructure in the region.
Job Creation and Long-Term Capacity Building
The initial phase of the project is projected to create 150 specialized jobs by the close of 2025, with additional hiring plans for 750 more positions as operations scale. This expansion aligns with broader national goals to bolster indigenous aerospace capabilities and foster skilled employment in advanced engineering sectors.
Safran emphasized that the facility will not only support India’s existing Rafale fleet but also strengthen the country’s defense readiness through localized, high-precision engine servicing.
Telangana’s Growing Aerospace Ecosystem
Hyderabad has rapidly emerged as a strategic aerospace hub, and Safran’s investments have played a pivotal role in this transformation. The French firm already operates two major sites in the city:
- Safran Electrical & Power India, which manufactures electrical harnesses for CFM LEAP engines and the Dassault Rafale.
- Safran Aircraft Engines Hyderabad, which focuses on the production of rotating parts for the LEAP engine’s low-pressure turbine.
These facilities form part of Safran’s global supply chain and contribute significantly to India's ambitions to become a global player in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance.
Indo-French Collaboration in Focus
The announcement came during a broader Indo-French business engagement led by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI). Minister Sridhar Babu hosted a roundtable with French companies operating in Telangana, further strengthening bilateral commercial ties.
Safran lauded the Telangana government for its proactive support and policy environment, crediting state-level initiatives for enabling the rapid scaling of aerospace operations.
“We are proud to contribute to Telangana’s vibrant aerospace ecosystem and to help position it as a major aerospace hub in India,” the company stated in its official release.
A New Chapter in India’s Defense Manufacturing Journey
The MRO facility represents more than a corporate expansion—it aligns with India’s larger objectives under initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India). By establishing localized servicing for sophisticated military engines, the country reduces its dependence on overseas maintenance, shortens downtime, and builds long-term sovereign capabilities in defense aviation.
As geopolitical tensions and airpower modernization efforts reshape defense priorities, India’s ability to sustain, service, and upgrade its own military hardware will be critical. Safran’s move not only meets current operational needs but also signals confidence in India’s potential as a global center for aerospace excellence.
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