Safran to Set Up Aircraft Engine Line in India

New Delhi: French aerospace major Safran has said it is ready to establish an aircraft engine assembly line in India and source components from Indian suppliers to strengthen local aerospace manufacturing, according to a February 13 report by Reuters.

The announcement signals a major boost for India’s defence manufacturing ambitions and aligns with the government’s push for deeper localisation under the ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

Safran CEO Olivier Andriès said the company is prepared to support engine assembly operations in India if a broader defence agreement moves forward. The statement comes at a time when New Delhi is evaluating a potential large fighter aircraft acquisition that could significantly expand the existing fleet operated by the Indian Air Force.

The proposed engine assembly line would mark a substantial step beyond simple maintenance or component supply. It would involve assembling engines within India and integrating Indian vendors into the global supply chain. 

Safran has also indicated its willingness to source parts locally, which could provide a strong push to Indian MSMEs and defence manufacturers looking to enter high-technology aerospace production.

India has steadily increased its focus on domestic defence production in recent years. The government has raised FDI limits in defence manufacturing and encouraged foreign OEMs to build joint ventures and local ecosystems. 

Safran’s latest statement suggests confidence in India’s industrial capability and long-term defence market potential.

The French company already has an established presence in India through joint ventures and maintenance operations. However, setting up an engine assembly line would represent a higher level of industrial commitment and technology partnership.

The move is also strategically significant for bilateral ties between India and France, which have strengthened across defence, space and maritime cooperation. France has been one of India’s most reliable defence partners, with key collaborations ranging from fighter aircraft to submarine technologies.

Aircraft engines are among the most complex and sensitive components in military aviation. Traditionally, such technologies involve tight export controls and limited transfer of manufacturing capabilities. Safran’s readiness to localise assembly indicates growing trust and long-term alignment between the two countries.

Industry observers believe that if the deal progresses, it could create high-skilled jobs, enhance domestic technical capabilities and gradually integrate Indian suppliers into global aerospace value chains. It may also reduce long-term lifecycle costs through local maintenance and faster turnaround times.

The potential expansion of fighter aircraft production linked to Dassault Aviation programs has further raised expectations that India could evolve from being just a buyer to becoming a production and assembly hub for advanced aerospace systems.

For India’s defence ecosystem, the bigger gain may lie in vendor development. Sourcing parts from Indian suppliers would require meeting stringent global aerospace quality standards, which could uplift manufacturing practices across the sector.

As New Delhi pushes for greater self-reliance in critical defence technologies, Safran’s announcement is being seen as a positive signal. If formalised through government agreements, the engine assembly line could become one of the most significant aerospace industrial collaborations between India and France in recent years.

With negotiations and evaluations ongoing, the coming months will determine whether the proposal translates into a concrete industrial project. However, Safran’s public commitment underscores India’s growing importance in the global aerospace and defence manufacturing landscape.