By N. C. Bipindra

Hyderabad (Telangana): India, on November 26, 2025, marked a major milestone in its aviation and manufacturing ambitions as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI), a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP aircraft engines, via videoconference.

The French aerospace major’s new unit, developed at an investment of around INR 1,300 crore inside Hyderabad’s GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park, has been described by Modi as a transformational step that will help position India as a global MRO hub.

Calling the launch a “new flight” for India’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem, the Prime Minister said the facility marks the first time a global engine OEM has set up deep-level servicing capabilities in India, signalling strong global confidence in the country’s manufacturing and technology landscape.

The MRO centre will eventually service up to 300 engines annually and employ more than 1,000 specialised engineers and technicians by 2035.

Aviation Growth Driving Demand

Modi highlighted India’s rise as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, now the third-largest domestic aviation market globally. With Indian carriers placing orders for more than 1,500 new aircraft, demand for domestic MRO capability has surged.

Until recently, nearly 85% of India’s MRO work was outsourced overseas, driving up turnaround time and costs. The new Safran facility, he said, will reverse that trend, cut foreign exchange outflow, and boost India’s aerospace self-reliance.

Boost to Youth Employment and High-Tech Skills

The Prime Minister emphasised that Safran’s training programmes, technology transfer, and partnerships with Indian institutions will create a new generation of high-skill aerospace professionals.

He urged Safran to extend its India footprint beyond engine maintenance to design and manufacturing of propulsion systems, leveraging India’s vast MSME base and engineering talent pool.

Reforms Fueling Global Confidence

Modi said India’s pro-business reforms, including 100% FDI in most sectors, 74% in defence via automatic route, GST simplification, the National Single Window System, reduced compliance burden, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, have made India a trusted, innovation-friendly investment destination.

“We are dreaming big, doing bigger and delivering best,” he said, adding that India sees investors not as financiers but as co-creators in the journey toward a developed nation.

Self-Reliance in Aviation

The opening of SAESI is expected to strengthen supply-chain resilience, position India as a global aviation hub, and deepen indigenous capabilities in the high-growth MRO sector—an essential part of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) strategy.

Safran’s MRO Facility for LEAP Engines

Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) is Safran’s dedicated Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines, which power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The establishment of this facility marks a significant milestone, as it is not only one of the largest global aircraft engine MRO facilities but also the first time a global engine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) has set up an MRO operation in India.

Spread across 45,000 sqm, the state-of-the-art facility is designed to service up to 300 LEAP engines annually. The SAESI facility will employ over 1,000 highly skilled Indian technicians and engineers upon achieving full operational capacity by 2035. The facility will feature advanced process equipment to deliver world-class engine maintenance and repair services.

How India Benefits from Safran Facility

The MRO facility will be a huge step towards the goal of Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance) in the aviation sector. Developing indigenous capabilities in MRO will reduce foreign exchange outflows, create high-value employment, strengthen supply-chain resilience, and position India as a global aviation hub.

The Indian government is actively working to build a robust MRO ecosystem to support the sector’s rapid growth. Key government policy initiatives, including GST reforms in 2024, MRO Guidelines 2021, and the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, have simplified operations for MRO providers by rationalising tax structures and reducing royalty burdens.

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