In a significant development for India's defence and aerospace sector, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has made a compelling appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially designate the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route as a dedicated defence and aerospace corridor. This strategic move aligns with the Prime Minister's ambitious Viksit Bharat vision and could transform the region into a global aerospace powerhouse.
Strategic Vision for Economic Growth
During the inauguration of French aerospace giant Safran's LEAP engine MRO facility and the foundation stone laying ceremony for the M88 military engine MRO facility, CM Reddy outlined Telangana's ambitious economic roadmap. The state aims to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and scale up to $3 trillion by 2047, perfectly synchronizing with the national development goals.
The Chief Minister extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Modi for the upcoming Telangana Rising Global Summit-2047, scheduled for December 8 and 9. This prestigious event will be hosted at the groundbreaking Bharat Future City, a massive 30,000-acre green development project designed as India's answer to global metropolises like New York, Tokyo, Dubai, and Singapore.
Hyderabad's Aerospace Dominance
CM Reddy highlighted Hyderabad's remarkable transformation into India's premier aerospace hub, revealing that Telangana currently hosts over 25 major global aerospace and defence companies along with an impressive network of more than 1,500 MSMEs supporting the sector. The city has become the preferred destination for complex precision engineering projects, attracting industry leaders including Safran, Boeing, Airbus, Tatas, and Bharat Forge.
The state's aerospace and defence exports have witnessed unprecedented growth, doubling last year to exceed ₹30,740 crore in just nine months. This remarkable achievement marks the first time that aerospace exports have surpassed Telangana's traditionally dominant pharmaceutical exports, signaling a significant shift in the state's industrial landscape.
Safran's Expanding Footprint in India
The newly inaugurated Safran MRO facility represents a landmark achievement for India's aviation sector, being the first LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul center in the country. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to generate substantial business opportunities for local MSMEs and precision engineering companies, while the upcoming M88 MRO facility will provide crucial support for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
Safran CEO Olivier Andriès announced ambitious expansion plans, revealing that the company expects to triple its revenue in India to over €3 billion by 2030, with half of this amount generated through its Indian operations. The company also plans to multiply its sourcing from Indian suppliers by five times during the same period.
In a significant development for India's defence manufacturing, Safran signed a joint venture and cooperation agreement with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) on November 24 to locally manufacture the sophisticated 'Hammer' modular air-to-surface weapon. This advanced weapon system can be integrated with multiple aircraft types, including the Rafale and India's indigenous Tejas fighter jet, and was notably deployed during Operation Sindoor in May this year.
Earlier this year, Safran had established an engineering center in Bangalore specializing in avionics and actuators, which has already grown to employ 250 professionals. The company is also developing an electronics and actuation manufacturing facility in Bangalore with 400 employees, scheduled to become operational in 2026 with an additional investment of €30 million (approximately ₹310 crore).
CM Reddy also invited Safran to become a lead partner in the Telangana government's efforts to enhance the aerospace and MRO sector through collaboration with the Young India Skills University, emphasizing the state's commitment to developing skilled workforce for the growing industry.
