Safran and HAL Strengthen Collaboration for LEAP Engine Component Manufacturing
At the 55th Paris Air Show, a notable agreement was reached between Safran Aircraft Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly manufacture rotating forged components for the LEAP aircraft engine program. This agreement is part of an effort to boost India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities under the Make in India initiative and expands on prior collaborations.
This development follows a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2023, as well as a contract from February 2025, both of which focus on enhancing industrial cooperation for LEAP engine parts. According to the new agreement, HAL will produce Inconel-based rotating parts, a vital material for high-performance jet engines due to its resistance to heat and corrosion.
Safran Aircraft Engines, a major global engine manufacturer, is broadening its industrial presence in India. Through this agreement, Safran aims to meet the increasing demand for LEAP engines, which power most of India's single-aisle commercial aircraft fleet. Additionally, the company seeks to expand its global production footprint while enhancing partnerships with Indian companies.
Dr. D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, expressed pride in strengthening the company's longstanding partnership with Safran and advancing its ability to forge high-performance engine parts for the LEAP program.
Dominique Dupuy, Purchasing Vice President of Safran Aircraft Engines, remarked that this collaboration is in line with Safran's strategy to expand its manufacturing base in India. He emphasized that HAL is a crucial partner and that this initiative supports the future of the M88 engine, which powers the Rafale fighter aircraft.
Safran already operates five production facilities in India, located in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa. Additionally, a new site dedicated to the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of LEAP engines is planned to open in Hyderabad by the end of 2025. The joint venture between Safran and HAL, established in 2022, focuses on components for LEAP and M88 engines.
India ranks as CFM's third-largest market globally for engine deployments, with over 370 out of 500 aircraft operated by Indian carriers using LEAP engines. More than 2,000 additional LEAP engines have been ordered for future use. The growing collaboration between Safran and HAL represents a significant move toward establishing a self-reliant aerospace ecosystem in India, benefiting both the commercial and military sectors.
