Safran to Make Hammer with BEL, Opens MRO in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Safran CEO Olivier Andriès at the inauguration of its MRO centre for the CFM International LEAP engine at Hyderabad | Photo: Safran

Safran announced a series of new civil and military aviation investments in India at a ceremony in Hyderabad on November 26, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Safran Chairman Ross McInnes and Chief Executive Officer Olivier Andriès. The company inaugurated a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre for the CFM International LEAP engine and began construction of an MRO shop for the M88 engine that powers the Rafale fighter aircraft.

The event also included the announcement of a joint venture with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to manufacture the Hammer air-to-surface weapon in India. The agreements are positioned by Safran as part of its expanded involvement in India’s civil and defense aerospace sectors.

Speaking at the ceremony, Safran CEO Olivier Andriès said, “I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Government for their support and trust, which makes our growth in India possible. The two new MRO centres in Hyderabad dedicated to the LEAP and M88 engines — and our new joint venture with BEL — underscore India’s importance to our Group. We’re proud to support the rapid growth of India’s civil and defense aerospace markets and actively contribute to the country’s Make in India policy and strategic autonomy. Safran will triple its revenue in India to exceed 3 billion euros by 2030, of which half will be generated by our sites in India. At the same time, Safran will multiply by five its sourcing in the country.”

The LEAP engine MRO centre represents an investment of €200 million and is scheduled to begin operations in 2026. The 45,000-square-meter facility will support up to 300 engine shop visits annually and will include a new engine test bench. According to Safran, India is CFM International’s third-largest market, with more than 400 LEAP-powered aircraft operated by five Indian carriers and 2,000 engines on order. The Hyderabad site is expected to employ more than 250 people initially, increasing to 1,100 at full capacity. A training centre will provide technical instruction to more than 100 Indian engineers and technicians each year.

The new M88 engine MRO facility represents an investment of more than €40 million. The 5,000-square-meter site will prioritise engines operated by the Indian Air Force and is planned to support more than 600 engine modules annually. India operates 36 Rafale fighters, 47 Mirage 2000 aircraft and has ordered 26 Rafale M naval variants.

Safran also noted progress on previously announced projects, including an engineering centre in Bangalore specialising in avionics and actuators, and an electronics and actuation manufacturing facility scheduled to begin operations in 2026. The company highlighted its long-standing partnerships in India, including joint work with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the SAFHAL venture developing the Aravalli helicopter engine.