Andries outlines plan for co-development+co-production of advanced jet engines
French company Safran Group CEO Olivier Andries has briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on his company’s US$150 million plans to set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad for overhaul of LEAP-1A & LEAP-1B engines in use by Indian and foreign commercial airlines.
The MRO facility will be able to overhaul over 250 engines per year in the beginning and is expected to create 500-600 highly skilled jobs.
He also briefed the Minister the inauguration of Safran Aircraft Engines and Safran Electrical & Power India Pvt Ltd in Hyderabad and Safran-HAL Aircraft Engines as a joint venture in Bengaluru.
Safran Aircraft Engine, with an investment of Euro36 million and located on 10 acres land in the Hyderabad SEZ, will produce parts and components for advanced aircraft engines including rotating seals.
Safran Electrical & Power India will produce harness for civil and fighter jets.
The joint venture between Safran and HAL is for production of rigid piping for aircraft engines including helicopter engines. The joint venture is expected to hire 160 new highly skilled personnel.
Andries also outlined his company’s long-term plan in co-development and co-production of advanced jet engines and transfer of technology as per existing policy of the Indian Government.
During the meeting with Singh on 5 July 2022, he also shared capabilities of Safran in areas of technology beyond aircraft engine.
Highlighting the great importance India attaches to the strategic partnership with France, Singh welcomed new facilities in Hyderabad and the joint venture in Bengaluru.
The Minister also invited Safran for more co-development and co-production projects in India.
“We are a big market. However, we are increasingly focused on making in India for addressing the needs in a competitive manner and supplying to friendly foreign countries. You can leverage all the competitive advantages India offers, including the cost advantages and availability of trained manpower,” he said.
Singh asserted that both countries can contribute to each other’s capability building. fiinews.com
