India is preparing to showcase a major leap in its aerospace capabilities as Prime Minister Narendra Modi readies to inaugurate Safran Aircraft Engine Services India’s (SAESI) new facility on November 26. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the project represents a significant step towards expanding India’s presence in global aviation.
The SAESI facility serves as Safran’s dedicated Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centre for LEAP engines, which power the widely used Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets. Officials stated that the move marks the first instance of a global engine manufacturer establishing full-scale MRO operations within India.
Developed with an investment of approximately ₹1,300 crore, the state-of-the-art facility spans 45,000 square metres inside the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park-SEZ. It has been designed to handle up to 300 LEAP engines annually.
The PMO noted that the centre will generate employment for more than 1,000 highly skilled technicians and engineers by 2035. It will also house advanced machinery to deliver international-grade maintenance and repair services.
Government officials emphasised that strengthening indigenous MRO capabilities will conserve foreign exchange, boost high-value employment and enhance supply-chain resilience, ultimately supporting India’s ambition to emerge as a global aviation hub.
Key policy reforms, including GST rationalisation in 2024, the 2021 MRO guidelines and the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, have further enabled smoother operations for MRO providers.
Skyroot’s First Orbital Rocket Set for Unveiling
On November 27, the Prime Minister will also unveil Skyroot Aerospace’s first orbital rocket, Vikram-I, and inaugurate the company’s new Infinity Campus through video conferencing.
Engineers have designed Vikram-I to carry satellites into orbit, marking another milestone for India’s rapidly expanding private space sector. The Infinity Campus, spanning nearly 200,000 square feet, will support the end-to-end development, integration and testing of multiple launch vehicles. The facility can produce one orbital rocket every month.
Skyroot, founded by IIT alumni and former ISRO scientists Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, previously launched India’s first privately developed sub-orbital rocket, Vikram-S, in 2022.
The PMO highlighted that the swift rise of private space enterprises reflects the success of recent policy reforms and reinforces India’s growing leadership in global space innovation.
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