Hyderabad Emerges as Global Aviation Hub with Safran's Mega MRO Facility
In a significant boost to India's aviation sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated French aerospace giant Safran's state-of-the-art maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad on Wednesday morning. This landmark establishment positions India firmly on the global aviation maintenance map.
The newly launched facility, spanning an impressive 45,000 square meters at the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park – SEZ, represents an investment of €200 million (approximately Rs 2062 crore). At full operational capacity, this world-class center will service 300 CFM LEAP engines annually for civil aircraft while creating 1,100 highly skilled jobs for Indian professionals.
Dual Military and Civil Aviation Boost
Simultaneously, the Prime Minister performed the groundbreaking ceremony for Safran's first MRO facility outside France for the M88 military engine that powers the Rafale fighter jets. This additional facility involves an investment of €40 million (approximately Rs 400 crore) and will occupy 5,000 square meters. When fully operational, it will maintain over 600 engine modules each year while employing up to 150 skilled workers.
During his address, PM Modi commended Safran for establishing the first global OEM deep-level servicing MRO facility in India and encouraged the company to explore setting up aircraft engine and component design facilities in the country. He emphasized the government's focus on promoting 'Design in India' alongside manufacturing capabilities.
"We are dreaming big, doing bigger and delivering the best. Our vast network of MSMEs and our talented youth will help you greatly," the Prime Minister stated, highlighting how previously 85% of MRO work was conducted outside India, leading to higher costs, longer turnaround times, and extended aircraft grounding periods.
Transforming India's Aviation Landscape
The Prime Minister pointed to India's remarkable growth in domestic civil aviation, noting that the country now boasts the world's fastest-growing aviation market and ranks third largest globally. With Indian carriers placing orders for 1,500 new aircraft, the demand for reliable MRO services has skyrocketed.
Modi also highlighted the government's regulatory reforms, revealing that over 40,000 compliances have been eliminated in the past 11 years, along with hundreds of barriers to foreign investment. The introduction of a single window system has significantly improved the ease of doing business in India.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu projected that the Indian MRO market will reach $4 billion by 2031, growing at 8.9% annually – nearly double the global MRO market growth rate of 4.8%.
"I see an unprecedented opportunity for global engine manufacturers looking to partner with India's rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem," Minister Naidu stated. He noted that India's commercial aviation fleet has expanded at a compounded annual growth rate of 7.6%, three times the global average, creating demand for over 2,500 Safran engines to power new aircraft.
Strategic Benefits for Indian Aviation
The new Safran MRO facility promises substantial benefits for the Indian aviation sector. By localizing up to 90% of LEAP engine maintenance work by 2030, it will significantly reduce dependence on foreign repair centers, decrease turnaround times, and lower operational costs for Indian carriers. These cost savings are expected to eventually benefit passengers through more competitive airfares.
Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy appealed to the Prime Minister to declare the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route as a defense and aerospace corridor. He highlighted Telangana's impressive aerospace credentials, noting that the state hosts over 25 major global aerospace and defense companies and more than 1,500 MSMEs in the sector.
"Hyderabad is one of the leading MRO and aero engine hubs in India. Our aerospace and defense exports doubled last year to over Rs 37,000 crore in nine months, overtaking Telangana's pharma exports for the first time," the Chief Minister revealed.
Revanth Reddy invited Safran to become a lead partner in Telangana's efforts to scale up aerospace and defense sector manpower through the Young India Skills University, expressing the state's ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047.
Safran's Expanding Indian Footprint
Safran CEO Olivier Andriès announced significant expansion plans for India, including the signing of a joint venture and cooperation agreement with Bharat Electronics Ltd to manufacture Safran's modular air-to-surface weapon 'Hammer' in India. This advanced weapon system, which can be integrated on multiple aircraft types including the Rafale and India's Tejas, was recently used during Operation Sindoor in May this year.
"We're proud to support the rapid growth of India's civil and defense aerospace markets and actively contribute to the country's Make in India policy and strategic autonomy," Andriès stated. He revealed that Safran plans to triple its revenue in India to exceed €3 billion by 2030, with half generated by their Indian facilities. The company will also multiply its sourcing from India by five times.
Earlier this year, Safran announced an engineering center in Bangalore specializing in avionics and actuators, which is now operational and expanding to 250 employees. Additionally, an electronics and actuation manufacturing facility in Bangalore with 400 employees will become operational in 2026, representing a total additional investment of €30 million.
The establishment of these world-class facilities marks a transformative moment for India's aviation sector, positioning the country as a global hub for aerospace manufacturing and maintenance while creating thousands of high-skilled employment opportunities for Indian youth.
