Safran and HAL Deepen Partnership to Manufacture LEAP Engine Forged Parts in India

In a major step forward for India’s aerospace manufacturing ambitions, French engine maker Safran Aircraft Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a new agreement to produce critical rotating forged parts for the LEAP aircraft engine. The deal was finalized during the 55th Paris Air Show and reflects both companies' commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation and expanding the “Make in India” initiative in the aerospace sector.

The LEAP engine, developed by CFM International (a joint venture between Safran and GE Aviation), powers a vast number of modern single-aisle commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. With Indian airlines experiencing rapid growth and ordering over 2,000 LEAP engines, the need for localized manufacturing has become increasingly important. This new agreement builds on previous collaborations between HAL and Safran, including a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2023 and a forged parts production contract agreed upon earlier in February.

The current focus is on producing rotating Inconel parts—nickel-chromium-based superalloys known for their strength and resistance to heat. These components are crucial for high-performance jet engines like the LEAP. By bringing this complex forging work to India, HAL will significantly increase its technical capabilities in precision manufacturing for global civil aviation needs.

Dr. DK Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, highlighted that the agreement reinforces HAL’s goal of mastering advanced aerospace manufacturing processes and deepening its global presence. Dominique Dupuy, Safran Aircraft Engines’ Vice President of Purchasing, echoed the sentiment, calling HAL a “key player in India’s aerospace industry” and stressing that the collaboration is aligned with Safran’s strategy to diversify its supply base and invest long-term in India.

Safran’s presence in India has been growing steadily. The company already operates five industrial facilities in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Goa. A sixth facility, focused on Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for LEAP engines, is expected to begin operations in Hyderabad by the end of the year. This will further enhance India’s ability to support both its own airline fleet and potentially provide MRO services to the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Additionally, Safran and HAL have established a joint venture in Bengaluru—Safran HAL Aircraft Engines—which focuses on manufacturing components for both the LEAP and the M88 engine used in the Rafale fighter jets. As part of their evolving partnership, Safran also plans to expand military collaboration with India around the M88 engine, signaling growing strategic alignment beyond the civil aviation sector.

India is now the third-largest market for CFM engines globally, with about 75% of Indian commercial aircraft powered by them. Of the 500 aircraft across seven Indian airlines using CFM engines, over 370 run on LEAP models. With the demand for air travel in India expected to soar further, and with more than 2,000 engines on order, this partnership between HAL and Safran is a timely and critical move to strengthen domestic aerospace production and global supply chain resilience.