India’s aviation sector marked a major milestone today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI), a cutting-edge Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP aircraft engines. Located at the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park near Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, the centre represents a historic first: a global engine OEM establishing a full-fledged engine MRO operation in India.
A Boost to Aviation Self-Reliance
Built with an initial investment of around ₹1,300 crore, the massive 45,000 sq. metre facility is set to become one of the world’s largest MRO hubs for LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines, which power a majority of modern commercial aircraft. Once fully operational by 2035, the centre will be capable of servicing up to 300 LEAP engines every year.
Looking ahead, the facility is also expected to include MRO capabilities for M88 engines used in Rafale fighter jets, strengthening India’s defence preparedness and aligning with the nation’s vision for strategic self-reliance.
Prime Minister Modi emphasised the transformational importance of the project, calling it:
“A giant ‘LEAP’ towards Aatmanirbharta in our skies—a symbol of trust in India’s talent and a new runway for our youth to build a global aviation hub on home soil.”
Policy Push Meets Global Trust
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu highlighted how India’s updated MRO guidelines, GST reforms, and supportive policies paved the way for this major investment. With Indian airlines previously sending engines abroad for heavy maintenance, the new facility will drastically cut foreign exchange outflow and position India as an emerging MRO powerhouse in Asia.
Olivier Andries, CEO of Safran, reaffirmed the company’s confidence in India:
“India’s booming aviation market needs world-class service. This Hyderabad facility—our largest outside France—reflects our deep commitment to the ‘Make in India’ mission and the country’s exceptional engineering talent.”
A Big Win for Hyderabad and Telangana
Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy hailed the project as another validation of Hyderabad’s rise as India’s aerospace and defence capital. The new centre will create over 1,000 high-end technical jobs and spark the growth of an ecosystem of ancillary aerospace units within the GMR Aerospace Park.
The facility will introduce advanced ‘MRO 4.0’ technologies, bringing modern tooling, automation, and global best practices directly to India, significantly raising local skill levels.
Why This Facility Matters
For India:
- Saves significant foreign exchange by eliminating the need to send engines abroad.
- Strengthens defence preparedness with future M88 engine servicing.
- Helps India emerge as a global aviation MRO hub, attracting international airlines.
For Hyderabad & Telangana:
- Creates 1,000+ specialised jobs for engineers and technicians.
- Catalyses a local aerospace supply chain and new industrial investments.
- Enhances the city’s position as a leading aerospace and defence destination.
Looking Ahead
The Safran MRO centre will begin operations in 2025, just as India’s commercial aviation fleet is expanding at record pace. With world-class maintenance capability now taking shape domestically, India is preparing not only to support its own aviation growth but also to play a bigger role on the global stage
Source:NDTv
