Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has taken a significant step in reinforcing India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities by signing a long-term contract with Safran Aircraft Engines (SAE), the world’s leading aircraft engine manufacturer. The agreement, finalized at Aero India 2025, covers the supply of turbine-forged parts for Safran’s advanced LEAP engines.
This milestone follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2023, under which both companies pledged to enhance industrial cooperation in commercial engine parts manufacturing. The collaboration aligns with the Indian Government’s “Make in India” initiative and marks the first major contract under this industrial partnership.
Under the agreement, HAL will manufacture high-precision forged parts for LEAP engines at its state-of-the-art Ring Rolling facility within its Foundry & Forge Division in Bengaluru. This move will support the LEAP program’s production ramp-up, meeting the rising demands of global airline operators.
The contract was signed by Mr. Anil Kumar, General Manager of HAL’s Foundry & Forge Division, in the presence of Mr. Jayakrishnan S, CEO (Bangalore Complex), HAL, and Mr. Dominique Dupuy, Vice President of Purchasing at Safran Aircraft Engines.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director of HAL, emphasized the longstanding partnership between HAL and Safran. “Over the past decades, HAL and Safran have built a strong relationship through the joint development of the ‘Shakti’ helicopter engine, which also laid the foundation for the co-design and co-development of the IMRH engine. We are delighted to elevate this collaboration further by contributing critical Nickel Ring forgings to the LEAP engine program,” he said.
Expressing enthusiasm for the partnership, Dominique Dupuy stated, “We are excited to continue working with HAL. This agreement is in perfect alignment with the objectives set forth in our 2023 MoU for producing high-quality forged components.”
India is CFM’s third-largest market in terms of engine installations, with 75% of the Indian commercial fleet powered by CFM engines. Of the 500 aircraft operated by seven Indian airlines with CFM engines, over 370 are equipped with LEAP engines. Additionally, Indian airlines have placed orders for more than 2,000 LEAP engines, further cementing India’s role in the global aviation supply chain.
Safran Aircraft Engines continues to expand its footprint in India, operating five production units with a sixth facility dedicated to LEAP engine maintenance set to launch in Hyderabad. This contract with HAL underscores Safran’s commitment to strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem while supporting its growing aviation sector.
