Safran plans 36 million euros air engine part plant in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: French multinational Safran Aircraft Engines will set up a plant here with an investment of 36 million euros to make parts for the LEAP turbofan engine for CFM International.

The plant, spread over 13,000 square meters, will come up in the special economic zone (SEZ) of GMR near Hyderabad Airport. 

Philippe Petitcolin, Safran Chief Executive Officer, on a visit to India for the Aero India Show, and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao made the announcement.

"Construction will kick off in June and the production of engine parts is expected to start in 2020. The plant will have about 50 employees by the end of the year to launch operations, and will eventually have a workforce of 300," Safran said in a statement.

When the plant hits cruise speed in 2023, it will be able to deliver 15,000 parts per year to support the LEAP's sustained production rate.

"We're delighted to open a new chapter in our long history with the Indian aerospace industry. Aerospace continues to be a significant driver of India's growth, and we want to fully support this dynamic by bolstering our investments and training programs in the country," said Petitcolin. 

The Telangana Chief Minister said Safran has selected Hyderabad to establish its plant, joining the league of other global OEMs who are already manufacturing and exporting from the state.

CFM, a joint venture between GE Aviation and Safran, is set to deliver 1,800 engines this year. With more than 17,000 orders and commitments recorded to date, the LEAP is the fastest selling engine. The new-generation LEAP entered service in 2016 and has now passed the mark of 3 million flight hours. It powers more than 700 Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX commercial airliner, including 54 operated by Indian airlines.

With presence in India for the last 65 years, Safran has over 600 employees at seven units, which provide design, production and support services for aerospace and defence. It has a maintenance training centre in Hyderabad for CFM engines. Opened in 2010, this centre can train more than 500 technicians a year. 

In 2018, Safran had announced setting up of a factory to produce LEAP engines harnesses and Rafale fighter electrical wiring interconnections systems.

Also located in SEZ Hyderabad, this 4,000 sq-meter factory will be delivered by mid-2019 and employ 250 people.