Safran Ready to Open Engine Production in India Under Rafale Deal
French engine maker Safran said it is prepared to build an engine assembly line in India as part of talks with New Delhi over procuring more Rafale fighter jets, a senior company executive told reporters. This move aligns with India’s push for local defence manufacturing and comes as New Delhi clears major defence acquisitions.
Safran’s readiness covers M88 fighter jet engines, which power the Dassault Aviation Rafale. The company also plans to source parts from Indian suppliers to support broader aerospace industry participation.
Engine Production Line Proposal
Safran’s chief executive, Olivier Andries, said on February 13 that the company is ready to meet India’s requirement for domestic production of Rafale engines. The plan would set up local assembly capacity for M88 engines in India, marking a significant step in defence industrial cooperation.
The M88 is a compact turbofan designed for the Rafale. Safran has historically built these engines in France, but local assembly in India would deepen industrial ties and help fulfil parts of the Indian government’s Make in India policy for defence production.
Context of Rafale Procurement Moves
India’s Defence Acquisition Council recently gave initial clearance for large defence buys, including 114 additional Rafale jets from France and Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft from the United States. These approvals precede a scheduled visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to New Delhi.
Under the pending Rafale purchase plan, a portion of aircraft and components are expected to be manufactured or assembled in India, as part of strategic offsets and long-term industrial cooperation. Safran’s readiness to localise engine assembly supports this shift.
Aligning With India’s Defence Industrial Goals
India has been pushing for more local content in major defence platforms. Engine production is a key area, given the historical challenges India has faced developing advanced propulsion systems domestically. Safran’s engagement could bridge capability gaps and transfer manufacturing expertise.
Beyond the assembly line, Safran already has an expanding footprint in India’s aerospace sector. The group has existing facilities in Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Goa that produce components for civil and military engines and plans maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hubs for both LEAP commercial engines and M88 fighter engines.
Supplier and Industrial Base Participation
Safran has also partnered with Indian firms on production of key components. For example, a joint venture with Titan Engineering and Automation Limited will produce parts for LEAP engine turbines starting in 2026. Association with local suppliers aims to strengthen the aerospace supply chain in India.
Strategic Implications
The move to local engine production comes as India accelerates defence acquisitions to modernize its armed forces amid regional security concerns. Integrating local assembly with broader procurement could reduce supply chain risks and support skilled workforce development.
Safran’s announcement follows discussions between Paris and New Delhi on expanding Rafale orders, underscoring the defense sector’s role in bilateral relations. Agreement on local engine production could be a defining feature of the final deal as governments finalize commercial terms.
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