Safran to Set Up Rafale’s M88 Jet Engine MRO Facility in Hyderabad
Safran Aircraft Engines has officially announced the establishment of a dedicated MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility for the Rafale’s M88 engine in Hyderabad. This facility will be the first of its kind outside France, a landmark move that not only enhances India’s operational readiness but also positions the country as a global hub for high-end military aviation sustainment.
This decision by the French engine manufacturer reflects a growing trust in India’s industrial and technical ecosystem. The Hyderabad facility will serve as the first international site to maintain M88 engine modules, used by the Rafale fighter jets, which form a critical part of the Indian Air Force’s frontline air superiority capabilities. With an annual capacity to handle over 600 engine modules, the site is expected to become operational in phases and generate up to 150 highly skilled jobs by 2040.
Christophe Bruneau, Executive Vice President of Military Engines at Safran Aircraft Engines, described the project as a milestone not just for the company, but for India's aspirations in aerospace sovereignty. “We are delighted to select Hyderabad as the location for this strategic initiative. This project is an important step in supporting M88 export customers, especially the Indian Air Force, and it reinforces our long-term commitment to India’s aerospace sector,” he said.
Safran’s investment in Hyderabad aligns seamlessly with the country’s push for localization of high-value defence manufacturing. In recent years, Hyderabad has emerged as a major aerospace cluster, already housing the Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) joint venture that manufactures parts of the Rafale’s fuselage. This new MRO facility adds another vital layer to that ecosystem, integrating sustainment and repair operations into the same regional footprint as component manufacturing.
The M88 turbofan engine, a compact yet powerful powerplant, is the heart of the Rafale’s exceptional performance. Ensuring timely and efficient maintenance of these engines is crucial for the Indian Air Force to keep its fleet mission-ready. Until now, all engine modules required maintenance in France—a time-consuming and logistically complex process. The Hyderabad MRO center will drastically reduce turnaround times and bring engine support closer to the point of use, increasing sortie rates and reducing downtime.
More broadly, the facility represents a deeper level of technology transfer and industrial cooperation. By hosting M88 module maintenance capabilities domestically, India is effectively entering the elite club of nations capable of supporting advanced fighter jet engines at home. It also opens up the possibility of India serving as a regional support hub for other Rafale operators in Asia and the Middle East in the future.
In every sense, this is more than just a maintenance facility. It is a strategic enabler, a force multiplier, and a clear indicator of how India’s defence partnership with France has matured into one of mutual capability building. With Safran’s expertise and India’s growing industrial base, Hyderabad is set to become a key node in the global aerospace supply chain—not just for Rafale engines, but for the broader future of Indo-French defence cooperation.
