Hyderabad, Nov 26: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy today inaugurated the country’s first-ever Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center for LEAP civil aircraft engines and laid the foundation stone for the Safran M88 military engine MRO at the GMR Aerospace & Industrial Park, Hyderabad. The two world-class facilities, being set up by Safran Aircraft Engines Services India at a combined investment exceeding ₹1,750 crore, mark a major milestone in India’s aerospace ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, which was also attended virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister announced that the Telangana Government will soon unveil a comprehensive roadmap for growth and development through its Vision Document.
“We are building a Bharat Future City spread over 30,000 acres— a green, net-zero innovation hub that will become India’s answer to New York, Tokyo, Dubai and Singapore. I invite the Prime Minister and global investors to participate in the upcoming Global Summit,” CM Revanth Reddy said.
Call for Bengaluru-Hyderabad Defence & Aerospace Corridor
The Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to declare the Bangalore-Hyderabad belt as an official Defence & Aerospace Corridor, enabling accelerated national defence manufacturing and contributing to Viksit Bharat 2047.
He highlighted Telangana’s rise as the premier hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing in India:
- Over 1,500 MSMEs and 25 major global aerospace companies currently operate from Hyderabad.
- Aerospace and defence exports doubled in the last year, reaching ₹30,742 crore in just 9 months, surpassing pharmaceuticals for the first time.
- Hyderabad has been ranked No. 1 globally for cost-effectiveness among future aerospace cities by the Financial Times.
“Hyderabad is the top choice for high-precision engineering projects. Our aerospace parks, SEZs and world-class infrastructure are powering transformational investments,” the CM said.
New LEAP MRO Facility to Create 1,000 Skilled Jobs
The newly inaugurated LEAP aero-engine MRO facility is the largest such center in Safran’s global network, built on 44,000 sq. meters with an investment of ₹1,300 crore. It is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs for engineers and technicians, in addition to hundreds of opportunities for MSME suppliers.
The LEAP engine powers Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft widely used by Indian carriers including IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa, and Vistara—known for fuel efficiency and global reliability standards.
First-Ever M88 Military Engine MRO Outside France
The second project, the M88 engine MRO facility for Rafale fighter jets, will support both the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
- Investment: ₹450 crore
- Area: 5,000 sq. meters
- Direct employment: 150 skilled technicians
- Indirect employment: 600
- Operations scheduled to begin early 2026
This is the first maintenance hub for Rafale engines outside France, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in advanced combat aviation.
Skilling for Aviation Growth
CM Revanth Reddy noted that Telangana has upgraded 100 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Advanced Technology Centers, in partnership with Tata Technologies, to provide industry-ready technical skills.
The Young India Skills University is also offering specialized aircraft maintenance training to bridge talent gaps.
“We invite Safran to become a lead partner in our aerospace skilling ecosystem. Telangana will continue to support global aerospace companies with infrastructure and innovation-driven policies,” he added.
Milestone for Telangana and Make in India
The CM congratulated Safran for choosing Hyderabad as its key Asian MRO hub, calling the investment a “historic boost for Make-in-India and defence self-reliance.”
“This facility is not only an economic milestone but also a strategic asset that positions India strongly in global aviation,” he said.
Industry Significance
Hyderabad is now among the few global cities hosting both civil and military engine MRO capabilities, strengthening India’s aviation logistics and operational readiness.
The aerospace cluster already houses leading giants including Boeing, Airbus, Safran, Tata, Lockheed Martin, Adani Defence, and Bharat Forge, further solidifying the city’s position as south Asia’s fastest-growing defence and aerospace hub.