Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) facility at the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park – SEZ near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, on November 26. The event will take place at 10 a.m. via video conferencing.
The facility marks a major milestone for India’s aviation sector, as this is the first time a global aircraft engine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operation in the country. SAESI is Safran’s dedicated MRO centre for LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines, which power some of the world’s most widely used commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.
Spread across 45,000 sq. metres inside the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park, the facility has been developed with an initial investment of about ₹1,300 crore. Once fully operational by 2035, it will have the capacity to service up to 300 LEAP engines annually and employ more than 1,000 highly skilled Indian engineers and technicians. The centre will house advanced process equipment designed to deliver world-class engine maintenance and repair services.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that the facility represents a significant step towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in the aviation sector. Strengthening indigenous MRO capabilities is expected to reduce dependence on overseas service centres, lower foreign exchange outflows, and create high-value technical jobs in India. It will also support the development of a resilient aerospace supply chain and contribute to positioning India as a global aviation hub.
The Centre has undertaken several policy measures in recent years to promote the MRO industry. Reforms include GST rationalisation in 2024, the MRO Guidelines issued in 2021, and provisions under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, which together have simplified regulatory processes, streamlined taxation, and reduced royalty burdens for MRO operators.