Safran, HAL boost aero partnership with new LEAP component deal

By Staff Report June 21, 2025 11:58 am IST

Safran Aircraft Engines and HAL have signed a new deal to produce LEAP engine components, strengthening their partnership and supporting Make in India.

At the 55th Paris Air Show, Safran Aircraft Engines, the world’s leading French aircraft engine manufacturer, signed a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence company, to industrialise and produce rotating parts for LEAP engines.

This strategic agreement complements the Indian government’s “Make in India” policy and builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both firms in October 2023, which aimed to collaborate on the production of LEAP engine parts. It also builds on the February 2024 contract for the manufacture of forged components. Under the new arrangement, HAL will now produce Inconel parts, which are critical to the LEAP engine programme.

Dominique Dupuy, Vice President of Purchasing at Safran Aircraft Engines, commented, “The goal is to support the strong growth of the Indian aerospace market and ensure the ramp-up of LEAP engines powering single-aisle civil aircraft.” This industrial partnership is part of our strategy to diversify our production sourcing and build our industrial presence in India to support the expansion of domestic air traffic with our LEAP engine and prepare for future M88 engine requirements for the Rafale.”

Dr D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, stated, “We are proud to expand our long-standing partnership with Safran and to further develop our industrial expertise in forging processes for Inconel parts for the LEAP programme.”

Safran Aircraft Engines is increasing its footprint in India, where it has five production sites in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa, with a sixth MRO site for LEAP engines scheduled to open in Hyderabad by the end of the year. In 2022, it also established the Safran HAL Aircraft Engines joint venture in Bengaluru to manufacture components for the LEAP and M88 engines.

India is currently CFM’s third-largest market in terms of engine installed base, with CFM engines powering 75% of the Indian commercial fleet. More than 370 of the 500 aircraft operated by seven Indian airlines use LEAP technology. Indian airlines have bought more than 2,000 LEAP engines. Safran also plans to improve its military relationship with India through the M88 engine development.