New Delhi: French engine-maker Safran will be setting up a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the Rafale’s M88 engine in Hyderabad. This site will be the first one to maintain M88 modules outside France.
In a statement, the company said the brand new facility will have a capacity of 600+ modules per year and will generate up to 150 jobs by 2040 and will help meet the strong growth of M88 maintenance activities worldwide.
“We are delighted to select Hyderabad location as the first export maintenance facility dedicated to the M88,” said Christophe Bruneau, Executive Vice President, Military Engines at Safran Aircraft Engines.
“This project marks an important step in the development of Indian sovereignty in aerospace and defence, while demonstrating our commitment to developing a world-class MRO ecosystem for the benefit of all M88 operators,” he said.
The company said that the new workshop will also benefit from synergies with other Safran production facilities and MRO workshops located in the region, in line with their commitment to develop a comprehensive commercial and military supply chain in India for aircraft engines.
The MRO facility will not only cater to the Rafales operated by the Indian Air Force but also those ordered by the Indian Navy.
Till now, the engines used to be flown back to France for MRO activities.
Incidentally, Safran is also the front-runner to bag a mega contract to jointly design and manufacture a new fighter jet engine that will power India’s 5th generation fighter platforms.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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