Safran’s ₹1,300 crore world-class engine maintenance hub positions India to become a global MRO powerhouse, as the Prime Minister declares the nation is ‘dreaming big, doing bigger, and delivering best’.
NFAPost, Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) facility at Hyderabad’s GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park via video conferencing, describing it as a transformative milestone that signals a new chapter for India’s aviation sector.
Calling the day a turning point for Indian aviation, the Prime Minister said Safran’s investment will help propel India toward its long-standing ambition of becoming a global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub.
“From today, India’s aviation sector is taking a new flight. Safran’s new facility will help establish India as a global MRO hub,”
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi
A Strategic Leap in Aviation Infrastructure
The new Hyderabad facility marks the first time a global aircraft engine OEM has set up a deep-level servicing operation in India—an endorsement of India’s rising stature in high-technology aerospace manufacturing and services.
Spread across 45,000 sqm, the SAESI complex is designed to service up to 300 LEAP engines annually—the engines that power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets—and will employ over 1,000 highly skilled Indian engineers and technicians once fully operational by 2035.
The Prime Minister said the investment aligns perfectly with the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s aviation capabilities under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
“This MRO facility will create new opportunities for youth in the high-tech aerospace sector,”
— PM Modi
India Now Among the Fastest-Growing Aviation Markets
PM Modi highlighted that India’s aviation sector has undergone unprecedented expansion, driven by rising incomes, increasing air travel demand, and the aspirations of a young population.
“Today, India stands among the fastest-growing domestic aviation markets in the world,”
— PM Modi
He noted that India has now emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market, and that Indian airlines have collectively placed orders exceeding 1,500 new aircraft—creating massive demand for timely and cost-effective MRO solutions.
For years, nearly 85% of India’s MRO work has been conducted overseas, resulting in higher costs and longer aircraft downtime. The Prime Minister emphasized that the situation was no longer acceptable for a market of India’s scale.
“Such a situation was not suitable for a vast aviation market like India. That is why we are developing the nation as one of the world’s major MRO hubs,”
— PM Modi
A Skills and Technology Catalyst for India
The Prime Minister highlighted that Safran’s global knowledge transfer, partnerships with Indian institutions, and emphasis on talent development will significantly accelerate the creation of a specialised aerospace workforce in India.
He urged Safran to expand beyond servicing and explore aircraft engine and component design within India, pointing to India’s vast MSME base and young engineering talent as strong foundations.
“India is promoting ‘Design in India’ across every sector. I urge Safran to explore possibilities for engine and propulsion design here,”
— PM Modi
India’s Reform Agenda Driving Global Investment
PM Modi reiterated that India has undertaken some of the biggest economic reforms in its history to attract global industry and strengthen its manufacturing ecosystem.
He pointed out that:
- Most sectors now allow 100% FDI through automatic routes
- Defence now allows 74% FDI through automatic approval
- Over 40,000 compliance burdens have been removed
- Hundreds of business-related offences have been decriminalised
- The National Single Window System has simplified approvals
- GST reforms, faceless tax assessment, new labour codes and the IBC have increased transparency
“India welcomes investments, India welcomes innovation,”
— PM Modi
He added that India now stands out globally for its stability, reform orientation, youthful workforce, and large domestic market.
“Those who invest in India are not just investors—they are co-creators, stakeholders in our journey towards a developed nation,”
— PM Modi
Driving Confidence in India’s Aerospace Future
The Prime Minister emphasised that India’s aviation ambitions stretch beyond aircraft MRO to include shipping MRO ecosystems, deep-tech propulsion, and advanced manufacturing.
He reaffirmed that India is now proving itself to be the smartest business decision of the decade for global firms.
“We are dreaming big, doing bigger and delivering best,”
— PM Modi
Background: A Major Boost to India’s Aerospace Independence
Safran’s Hyderabad facility represents a strategic milestone for India’s aerospace capabilities:
- First global OEM engine MRO in India
- ₹1,300 crore initial investment
- Capacity for 300 LEAP engines per year
- Over 1,000 high-value technical jobs
- Major savings in foreign exchange outflow
- Strengthening India’s position as a global aviation hub
Policy reforms such as the MRO Guidelines 2021, GST rationalization, and the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016have been instrumental in enabling this progress.
The ceremony was attended by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Union Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, and senior leadership from Safran and GMR Group.
