Safran Boosts India's Rafale Power with Hyderabad MRO Hub

French aerospace giant Safran has announced plans to establish a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad, dedicated to servicing M88 engines that power Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter jets. This development aligns with India's expanding Rafale program, including the Indian Navy’s induction of the Rafale M variant beginning in 2028.

The facility will be operated by Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, a newly formed entity, and will provide MRO services for both the Indian Air Force's current Rafale fleet and the 26 Rafale M jets recently acquired under an intergovernmental agreement signed on 28 April 2025. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030.

According to the Telangana government, the first phase of the MRO project is expected to generate around 150 jobs by the end of 2025, with further expansion potentially creating up to 750 additional positions in later phases.

During a meeting with Telangana IT & Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, Safran’s General Manager Pierre Fernandez also confirmed that the facility will support LEAP engine MRO services, further strengthening Hyderabad’s position as an emerging hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing. Notably, Tata Advanced Systems and Dassault Aviation are already collaborating in the city to produce Rafale fuselages.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.