India’s leading aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines, the French global leader in aero engine design, development and manufacturing, signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) announcing their intent to develop industrial cooperation in forging parts’ manufacturing for commercial engines.
Under the terms of the MoU, HAL will produce LEAP engine parts for Safran Aircraft Engines in its facilities in Bangalore, supporting Government of India’s “Make in India” policy as well as the LEAP program unprecedented ramp-up.
Safran Aircraft Engines’ long-term ambition is to develop a comprehensive aero engines ecosystem in India.
To be noted that Safran already hosts three production facilities in the country (between Hyderabad and Bangalore), which will be completed by a fourth site at Hyderabad dedicated to the LEAP MRO activities by 2025.
The Helicopter Engine MRO (HE-MRO) facility being developed in Goa jointly with HAL will be the fifth Safran facility in India, to be operational by 2025.
Noteworthy, Safran Aircraft Engines, alongside with other Safran companies, has a strong footprint in India.
The country is the third largest operator of the LEAP engine in the world, with 75% of Indian commercial aircraft being equipped with CFM’s advanced turbofan.
Till date, more than 2,200 LEAP engines are ordered by Indian airlines.
The Indian Air Force is also a longstanding customer of French jet fighters equipped with Safran manufactured engines.
India operates M53-powered Mirage 2000, and Rafale equipped with the M88 engine.
Apart from commercial and Military Aviation, Safran equipment are in use by Indian Navy, Indian Army and ISRO for their products and design solutions.
