At Aero India 2024 in Bengaluru, Safran Aircraft Engines, a global leader in aircraft engine manufacturing, signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the production of turbine forged parts for LEAP engines. This agreement builds upon the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2023, reinforcing industrial cooperation under India’s “Make in India” initiative.
The partnership aims to support India’s rapidly growing aerospace market and expand LEAP engine production, which powers single-aisle civil aircraft. As part of this effort, Safran and HAL established the Safran HAL Aircraft Engines joint venture in Bengaluru in 2022, dedicated to manufacturing components for LEAP and M88 engines, the latter used in the Rafale fighter jet. Safran continues to expand its presence in India by developing an aerospace ecosystem, building new facilities, and collaborating with key Indian partners.
Highlighting the deep-rooted collaboration between the two companies, Dr. D K Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director of HAL, stated: “Safran and HAL have a longstanding relationship, strengthened over decades through projects like the Shakti helicopter engine. This paved the way for co-designing and co-developing the IMRH engine. We are thrilled to advance this partnership and support LEAP engine production with critical Nickel Ring forgings.”
Dominique Dupuy, Safran Aircraft Engines’ Purchasing VP, added: “We are excited to continue this collaboration with HAL, fully aligned with the objectives outlined in our 2023 agreement for the production of forged parts.”
India remains a key market for Safran Aircraft Engines, where the company already operates five production sites across Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Goa. In 2025, Safran will launch a sixth facility in Hyderabad, dedicated to LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities.
India is the third-largest market for CFM International in terms of active engines, with 75% of India’s commercial fleet powered by CFM engines. Currently, over 370 aircraft in India operate with LEAP engines, and more than 2,000 additional LEAP engines are on order for Indian airlines. Additionally, Safran plans to deepen its military collaboration with India, particularly concerning the M88 engine used in combat aircraft.
Safran is a global high-technology group specializing in aviation, defense, and space. With 92,000 employees and €23.2 billion in revenue (2023), Safran leads in multiple aerospace domains. Through CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace, it is the world’s largest supplier of engines for single-aisle commercial jets.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, is a premier aerospace company headquartered in Bangalore. Established in 1940, HAL has expanded across 20 production divisions and 11 research centers, contributing to aircraft, helicopters, engines, avionics, and space vehicle manufacturing.
