Safran, HAL Expand Make-in-India Pact for LEAP Engine Parts

• Safran and HAL will co-produce LEAP engine parts in Bengaluru.
• The deal supports civil aviation growth and military needs.
• It strengthens India’s aerospace self-reliance and global role.

During the 55th Paris Air Show, Safran Aircraft Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced a major new agreement to collaborate in the manufacture of rotating forged Inconel parts for the world-renowned LEAP turbofan engine.

 The new partnership builds on previous partnerships of significance in India and enhances India's 'Make in India' program; Safran and HAL signed an MoU in October 2023, and a forged parts contract in February 2025.

In the new agreement, HAL will produce these essential components in its new Ring Rolling facility in Bengaluru, which will strengthen India's capability to meet rising demand in civil aviation. The agreement enhances additional domestic aerospace manufacturing capability, and supports India's growing ability to produce the future requirement for the M88 engine for the Rafale fighter aircraft.

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Dominique Dupuy, the Purchasing Vice President of Safran, observed that this collaboration offers a diversification of source of productions in addition to strengthening Safran's industrial footprint in India. Safran operates five industrial facilities in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa, with a planned sixth MRO facility for the LEAP engines in Hyderabad by late 2025.

The Safran–HAL joint venture, formed in 2022, is currently producing parts for both the LEAP engine, as well as the M88 engine. As the third-largest CFM-powered engine market, India has more than 370 LEAP powered aircraft in service and more than 2,000 engines on order.

"We are really proud to expand this long‑standing partnership with Safran and to develop our industrial expertise in forging processes for Inconel parts for the LEAP program", said Dr D K Sunil, HAL’s Chairman & Managing Director.

Producing high-precision Inconel forgings domestically strengthens India's position in advanced aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities. The supply chain partnerships depict a robust industrial ecosystem, advancing India's self-reliance as well as its integration into the global aerospace supply chain, including support for both commercial and military aviation development.