By A Correspondent

New Delhi: As India’s aviation sector accelerates into one of the fastest-growing in the world, French aerospace major Safran Aircraft Engines is taking a major step to cement its role at the heart of this transformation.

By the end of November 2025, Safran will inaugurate its state-of-the-art LEAP engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad, a USD 163 million (Euro 150 million) investment expected to be formally opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the company officials said.

The facility represents a watershed moment for India’s aviation maintenance ecosystem, marking the country’s transition from a predominantly buyer’s market for aircraft and engines to a credible global hub for engine overhaul and industrial capability.

India’s aviation growth story mirrors its economic rise. With GDP growth at 6.5%, the country’s commercial aircraft fleet has expanded at a 7.6% CAGR, three times the global average, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Indian carriers now operate over 860 aircraft, with an additional 739 on order. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu projects that the nation could require 4,000 aircraft and 200 airports within the next two decades.

For global engine manufacturers, this boom represents a generational opportunity. Safran, the world’s second-largest aircraft equipment maker, already holds orders for nearly 2,200 LEAP and CFM engines from Indian airlines.

With Air India alone planning another 300-aircraft acquisition, the demand for localised engine support has never been stronger.

Until recently, AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) was the only Indian facility capable of major engine overhauls. Safran’s Hyderabad MRO, dedicated to servicing LEAP-1A (Airbus A320neo) and LEAP-1B (Boeing 737 MAX) engines, changes that landscape dramatically.

The LEAP engine, jointly developed by CFM International, a 50:50 venture between GE Aerospace and Safran, has over 8,000 units in service and a backlog exceeding 10,000.

Shop visits for major overhauls are expected to rise sharply from 2027 onwards, driving Safran’s Euro 1 billion global MRO expansion plan, aimed at 1,200 annual shop visits by 2028.

The 15,000-sqm Hyderabad site will also manufacture rotating parts for LEAP engines and supply wiring systems for both LEAP and Rafale’s M88 engines, produced at Safran’s nearby Electrical & Power plant. By 2028, India is expected to account for one-fourth of Safran’s global LEAP MRO capacity, servicing airlines across South Asia, West Asia, and Africa.

Safran’s move is also reshaping competition. Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce—long interested in the Indian MRO market—are watching closely. While both have deep commercial and defense ties in India, neither has yet matched Safran’s scale or commitment to localised engine maintenance.

Beyond its industrial significance, the Hyderabad MRO reflects a strategic partnership between India and France in aerospace technology. Safran is deepening its collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru for component manufacturing, creating a robust ecosystem of self-reliance and global integration.

As India readies for Safran’s grand inauguration, the symbolism is clear: the country is no longer just a booming aviation market—it is fast becoming a global centre for aerospace maintenance and manufacturing.

For Safran, it’s a leap of investment and confidence. For India, it’s a leap of capability and a defining stride toward global aviation leadership.

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