India's leading aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines, the French global leader in aero engine design, development and manufacturing, signed today a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) announcing their intent to develop industrial cooperation in forging parts' manufacturing for commercial engines.

Under the terms of the MoU, HAL will produce LEAP engine parts for Safran Aircraft Engines in its facilities in Bangalore, supporting Government of India's “Make in India” policy as well as the LEAP program unprecedented ramp-up. Safran Aircraft Engines' long-term ambition is to develop a comprehensive aero engines ecosystem in India. Safran already hosts three production facilities in the country (between Hyderabad and Bangalore), which will be completed by a fourth site at Hyderabad dedicated to the LEAP MRO activities by 2025. The Helicopter Engine MRO (HE-MRO) facility being developed in Goa jointly with HAL will be the fifth Safran facility in India, to be operational by 2025.

“Safran is a long standing partner, especially on our helicopter programs, and also for parts production within the frame of our joint-venture in Bangalore. We are very proud to take this partnership to another level, and to develop our skills in key technologies like forging manufacturing”, said Shri C.B. Ananthakrishnan, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL. Strengthening our contribution to the production ramp-up of the LEAP program, one of the most successful in the industry, is a fantastic opportunity for HAL.”

“We are delighted to expand our collaboration with HAL, which is already part of the LEAP supply chain through our joint-venture in Bangalore (Safran HAL Aircraft Engines) dedicated to the production of aero-engines pipes”, said Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines. “This industrial cooperation on key technologies is consistent with our strategy to further develop our long term ties with Indian aviation industry to sustain the growing domestic market. It also represents a milestone of our long-standing efforts toward reinforcing India's sovereign capabilities in aero engines design and manufacturing. Such projects will help make Indian industry ready for further ambitious indigenous programs like AMCA engine.”

Safran Aircraft Engines, alongside with other Safran companies, has a strong footprint in India. The country is the third largest operator of the LEAP engine in the world, with 75% of Indian commercial aircraft being equipped with CFM's advanced turbofan. To date, more than 2,200 LEAP engines are ordered by Indian airlines.

The Indian Air Force is also a longstanding customer of French jet fighters equipped with our engines. India operates M53-powered Mirage 2000, and Rafale equipped with the M88 engine. Apart from commercial and Military Aviation, Safran equipment are in use by Indian Navy, Indian Army and ISRO for their products and design solutions.