PM Modi inaugurates Safran MRO Centre in Hyderabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centre for Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion (LEAP) engines established by French aerospace giant Safran in Hyderabad, built at an investment of ₹1,300 crore. Addressing the event, PM Modi said, “India is now a nation of reforms, bold decisions, and trusted partnerships for investors. Previously, 85% of aircraft MRO work was done abroad, leading to higher costs and longer grounding times. That is history now. India is on its way to becoming the world’s largest MRO hub.”

The Safran facility in Hyderabad will start full operations by 2026 and provide deep-level servicing for 300 LEAP engines annually. By 2035, it is expected to generate employment for 1,000 highly skilled Indian engineers and technicians. This centre is India’s first global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) deep-overhaul facility and will expand into propulsion design, manufacturing, and shipping MRO services, aiming to establish India as a global leader in these areas. PM Modi emphasized the importance of utilizing Indian talent and domestic capabilities for engine design and manufacturing.

India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and one of the fastest-growing globally. Indian airlines have placed orders for over 1,500 new aircraft. PM Modi assured investors of strong support through initiatives like the National Single Window System, GST reforms, faceless tax assessment, labor law reforms, and liberalized FDI policies, including 74% automatic Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defense. “Investors are not just partners - they are part of building a developed India,” he stated.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy highlighted Hyderabad’s emergence as a key centre for aerospace and defense industries. He suggested that the Bengaluru-Hyderabad region be declared a defense and aerospace corridor. Hyderabad now hosts major companies, including Safran, Boeing, Airbus, Tata, and Bharat Forge, which are engaged in MRO, equipment manufacturing, and research & development activities, generating thousands of skilled jobs. The Safran facility is the first in India dedicated to aircraft engine servicing and will support the M88 military engine MRO facility, benefiting the Indian Air Force and Navy.

CM Revanth emphasized that Telangana’s progressive industrial policies have accelerated growth. Aerospace exports from the state have doubled in the past year, crossing ₹30,000 crore in the last nine months, surpassing pharmaceutical exports for the first time. The state is also partnering with Young India Skills University and Tata Technologies to set up advanced ITIs for aviation training.

The Hyderabad airport area is being developed into the “Bharat Future City” across 30,000 acres, with the aim of making Telangana a $3 trillion economy by 2047. The Telangana Rising Global Summit, scheduled for December 8-9, will bring together industrialists and business leaders to discuss investments and development.

The LEAP engine, developed jointly by Safran and General Electric (GE), is revolutionizing global aviation with lower fuel consumption, reduced noise, and high efficiency. Capable of flying 30,000 km in a single trip, it has received over 40,000 orders worldwide, with each engine costing roughly ₹125 crore. Airlines using LEAP engines include Airbus A320neo (IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India), Boeing 737 Max, and COMAC C919. IndiGo alone has ordered over 1,000 A320neo aircraft, flying more than 2,000 LEAP engines daily over Indian skies.

Compared to older CFM56 engines, LEAP engines consume 15-20% less fuel and reduce noise by 50%. They feature advanced lightweight carbon-fiber blades and ceramic matrix composites capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 3,000°C. Each engine generates 10 tons of thrust, and six engines are produced daily.

Safran is among the world’s top three aerospace companies, with an annual turnover of ₹2.5 lakh crore, 92,000 employees across 50 countries, and a wide range of aircraft components, including LEAP and Rafale M88 engines. The company has collaborated with India for over 60 years, producing engines jointly with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and manufacturing 30% of Rafale parts in India.

The inauguration of the Safran MRO centre marks a significant milestone in India’s rise as a global hub for aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. With growing domestic expertise, world-class infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies, India is positioning itself as a leader in aviation and engineering innovation.