By A Correspondent
Paris/Hyderabad: In a significant boost to India’s aerospace and defence capabilities, French aeroengine giant Safran Aircraft Engines announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Rafale aircraft engines in Hyderabad.
The announcement was made at the Paris Air Show on June 20, 2025, further cementing Indo-French defence collaboration and Safran’s strategic presence in India, according to the company’s posts on LinkedIn.
This new facility will be the first outside France to maintain M88 engine modules, which power the Rafale fighter jets operated by the Indian Air Force. The move marks a major leap forward in India’s aerospace self-reliance journey from “Make in India” to “Sustain in India.”
“This project marks an important step in the development of Indian sovereignty in aerospace and defense,” said Christophe Bruneau, Executive Vice President of Military Engines at Safran Aircraft Engines. “We are delighted to select Hyderabad as the location for the first export maintenance facility dedicated to the M88. It is a testament to our commitment to a world-class MRO ecosystem in India for the benefit of all M88 operators.”
The Hyderabad-based MRO will support more than 600 engine modules annually and is expected to generate up to 150 high-skill jobs by 2040. The facility is also designed to meet the surging global demand for M88 maintenance, particularly from export customers, with the Indian Air Force being a primary beneficiary.
This Rafale MRO initiative follows the establishment of Safran’s LEAP engine MRO facility in India, making the country a central node in Safran’s global maintenance network. The new shop will benefit from operational synergies with other Safran production and MRO units already present in the region.
With this development, India’s engine MRO ecosystem is being built brick by brick, laying the foundation for long-term sustainability, skill development, and operational readiness of the country’s frontline fighter fleet. It also underscores Safran’s growing role as a trusted partner in India’s defence and aerospace ambitions.
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