In a significant move at the 55th Paris Air Show, Safran Aircraft Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed an agreement to jointly produce rotating forged parts for the LEAP aircraft engine program. This latest pact builds upon previous collaborations and aims to strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities under the Make in India initiative.
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2023 and a contract in February 2025 focused on developing industrial cooperation for LEAP engine parts. Under the new deal, HAL will manufacture Inconel-based rotating parts, a critical material used in high-performance jet engines due to its heat and corrosion resistance.
Safran Aircraft Engines is one of the world’s leading engine manufacturers and is expanding its industrial presence in India. With this cooperation, Safran seeks to support the growing demand for LEAP engines, which power the majority of India’s single-aisle commercial aircraft fleet. The company also aims to diversify its global production footprint while reinforcing partnerships with Indian firms.
Dr. D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, stated, “We are proud to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Safran and enhance our industrial capability in forging high-performance engine parts for the LEAP program.”
Dominique Dupuy, Purchasing Vice President of Safran Aircraft Engines, added, “This collaboration aligns with our strategy to bolster our manufacturing base in India. HAL is a vital partner, and this initiative also 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. A sixth site dedicated to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of LEAP engines is scheduled to become operational in Hyderabad by the end of 2025. The Safran HAL Aircraft Engines joint venture, established in 2022, specializes in LEAP and M88 engine components.
India is CFM’s third-largest market globally in terms of engine deployments, with over 370 of the 500 aircraft operated by Indian carriers using LEAP engines. More than 2,000 additional LEAP engines have been ordered for future use. The deepening collaboration between Safran and HAL marks a pivotal step in building a self-reliant aerospace ecosystem in India, with both commercial and military benefits.
