Modi inaugurates French aerospace giant Safran aircraft engine facility in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated French aerospace giant Safran’s new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP engines used in commercial aircraft.

The Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) unit, coming up at the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park in Hyderabad, is slated to go operational in 2026. The project, launched with an investment of Rs 1,300 crore, will handle LEAP engines that power Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets.

LEAP engines are produced by CFM International, a 50-50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace. India, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, has more than 1,500 aircraft on order.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Hyderabad facility will be capable of servicing up to 300 engines a year and is expected to employ more than 1,000 highly skilled technicians and engineers by 2035. The PMO said the expansion of domestic MRO capacity will curb foreign exchange outflow, create high-value jobs, strengthen supply chains and advance India’s ambitions to become a global aviation hub.

GMR Aerospace Park said hosting Safran’s largest engine MRO center marks a major milestone for Hyderabad’s aviation ecosystem. The facility, spread across 43,700 square meters on a 23.5-acre SEZ plot, is expected to begin operations by December 2025. It will support both commercial airlines and the defence sector, positioning the city among the world’s leading MRO destinations.

Aman Kapoor, CEO of GMR Airport and Land Development, said the project underscores GMR’s commitment to building world-class aviation and defence infrastructure. He added that facilities like Safran’s new center reflect the country’s push for Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, and further solidify India’s place in the global aerospace landscape.