Modi Unveils India's Largest Aircraft Engine Facility, Boosting Domestic Aviation Sector

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In a significant move to establish India as a global aviation hub, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the world's largest Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for CFM LEAP engines of Safran SA in Hyderabad. The facility, which will be operational early next year, is a major coup for the Indian aviation sector, creating new opportunities for young people in the high-tech aerospace industry. Modi hailed the development as a significant milestone, saying it would help India become a global MRO hub. He emphasized that India's domestic aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with a growing demand for air travel and an increasing active fleet. The CFM LEAP engine MRO facility, which involves an investment of around ₹2,000 crore, will have the capacity to service around 300 engines a year. A separate MRO facility for Safran-made M88 engines, which power Rafale jets, is also being set up in Hyderabad. Modi urged Safran to design propulsion systems in India and to utilize the country's vast MSME network and young talent pool. He also highlighted the government's efforts to attract global investment and innovation, citing the Production Link Incentive (PLI) Schemes and the ease of doing business in India. The development is expected to create new opportunities for Indian airlines, which have ordered over 1,500 new aircraft. India's aircraft MRO market is projected to be worth $4 billion by 2031, providing unprecedented opportunities for growth. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy welcomed the development, saying it marked an important milestone for the state's growth in aerospace and defence. He highlighted the state's efforts to attract aerospace investments, including the establishment of advanced technology centres and specialized training programs. Safran CEO Olivier Andriès emphasized the strategic importance of the new facility, saying it would support the rapid expansion of the fleet powered by the LEAP engine. He noted that over 400 LEAP-powered aircraft are in operation with five Indian airlines, and there are an additional 2,000 LEAP engines currently on order.