Hyderabad is rapidly cementing its status as India’s premier aerospace hub with French aerospace giant Safran announcing the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Rafale fighter jet engines. The new unit, named Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, will focus on servicing the M88 engines that power the Rafale fleet, including the upcoming Rafale-M jets for the Indian Navy.
Strategic Investment and Job Creation
The MRO facility is expected to generate 150 jobs by the end of 2026, with an additional 750 positions planned in subsequent phases. This move follows Dassault Aviation’s agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) to manufacture the entire Rafale fuselage in Hyderabad—marking the first time these components will be produced outside France.
“This project strengthens Hyderabad’s position as a global aerospace ecosystem,” said Telangana IT & Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, following a meeting with Safran’s General Manager Pierre Fernandez.
Hyderabad’s Expanding Aerospace Footprint
Safran already operates two facilities in Hyderabad—one producing rotating turbine seals for LEAP engines and another manufacturing electrical harnesses for Rafale jets and other aircraft. The addition of the MRO unit will consolidate Hyderabad’s role in Rafale component production, export, and maintenance.
The MRO will also cater to global M88 engine operators, positioning India as a regional service hub for advanced military aviation platforms.
Timeline and Future Outlook
- Facility operational by end of 2025
- Rafale-M deliveries to Indian Navy begin in 2028
- Fuselage production at TASL Hyderabad to start by FY 2027–28
This strategic collaboration between Safran, Dassault, and Tata is expected to boost India’s defense self-reliance, generate high-skilled employment, and attract further foreign investment into Telangana’s aerospace sector.
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