Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI), a dedicated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP engines, at the GMR Aerospace & Industrial Park SEZ, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad on 26 November. The move marks the first time a global engine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has set up an MRO operation on Indian soil.
The SAESI complex occupies roughly 45,000 square metres within the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park SEZ and was developed with an initial investment of about ₹1,300 crore. The site is designed to service up to 300 LEAP engines annually and will employ over 1,000 skilled Indian technicians and engineers once it reaches full capacity by 2035.
Why this matters for Indian aviation
LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines power modern narrow-body fleets including the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. Local MRO capability for such engines reduces dependence on overseas workshops, shortens turnaround times and cuts foreign exchange outflows bolstering India’s ambition to become a global aviation services hub.
Economic and strategic impact
Officials say the SAESI facility will strengthen the domestic aerospace supply chain and generate high-value employment. Government policy reforms including the 2024 GST changes, MRO Guidelines 2021, and the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 have been cited as enablers that have made large MRO investments more commercially viable in India.
Industry context
Safran has steadily expanded its footprint in India, with manufacturing and industrial sites already supporting engine component production. The Hyderabad MRO joins a growing cluster of aerospace projects in Telangana, including joint initiatives with domestic partners to manufacture rotative parts and other precision components. These developments aim to position Hyderabad as a key node in global engine maintenance and production networks.
What to expect at inauguration
The inauguration on 26 November will be a virtual event. Government and company statements emphasise the facility’s role in supporting India’s Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) push in aviation, while creating skilled jobs and improving supply-chain resilience for operators across India, South and West Asia, and Africa.
Looking ahead
As passenger traffic and fleets expand in the region, localised MRO capacity for modern engines is expected to shorten maintenance cycles and lower operational costs for airlines. For policymakers, the presence of a global OEM’s MRO also signals confidence in India’s regulatory and business environment for advanced aerospace investments.