Key Highlights
- PM Modi virtually inaugurated Safran’s LEAP engine MRO facility in Hyderabad, marking a ₹1,300 crore investment and over 1,000 jobs by 2035.
- Safran Chairman Ross McInnes quipped he is “Made in India” due to his birth there, prompting PM Modi’s laughter and highlighting Make in India appeal.
- Facility supports India’s aviation boom, with domestic carriers ordering over 1,500 aircraft amid 6.12% passenger growth in 2024.
Opening Overview
PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event captured global attention when French businessman Ross McInnes declared himself “Made in India,” eliciting laughter from the Prime Minister during the facility inauguration. This PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event underscored the Make in India initiative’s magnetic pull on international investors, blending humor with hard economic strategy. Held on November 26, 2025, the virtual ceremony at GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park spotlighted Safran’s new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center for LEAP engines, the world’s largest of its kind.
The light-hearted exchange occurred as McInnes, Safran Chairman, referenced his Indian birthplace to endorse the Make in India campaign, which PM Modi has championed since 2014 to boost manufacturing and jobs. PM Modi responded with visible amusement, reinforcing India’s welcoming stance for global firms. Beyond the viral moment, the PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event signals deeper ties in aviation, where India emerges as a key hub. With civil aviation growing rapidly, such investments address critical needs like reducing 85% overseas MRO dependency.
Official data confirms the facility spans 45,000 sqm, servicing up to 300 engines yearly and employing 1,000 skilled workers by 2030. This aligns with PM Modi’s vision of India as a trusted partner, not just an investor destination. The PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event’s buzz amplifies Make in India momentum, drawing parallels to recent defense pacts and positioning Hyderabad as an aerospace epicenter.
Safran Facility Launch Details
- Safran’s ₹1,300 crore investment creates India’s first deep-level OEM MRO for LEAP engines, operational from 2026.
- Groundbreaking for M88 military engine MRO adds €40 million, supporting Rafale operations.
The PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event formalized Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI), a pivotal step in aviation self-reliance. Spread across 45,000 sqm, the facility targets LEAP engines powering Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets, central to Indian carriers. PM Modi emphasized job creation for youth, with full capacity reaching 1,000 technicians by 2035, per government releases. This MRO reduces turnaround times and costs, vital as India handles 16.13 crore domestic passengers in 2024, up 6.12% year-on-year.
Safran’s commitment extends to military aviation, with the adjacent 5,000 sqm M88 facility servicing Rafale engines for Indian Air Force and Navy. CEO Olivier Andriès announced tripling India revenue to over €3 billion by 2030, half from local sites, multiplying sourcing fivefold. The PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event thus catalyzes ecosystem growth, including training over 100 technicians annually on-site.
Telangana’s aerospace exports hit ₹37,000 crore in nine months, surpassing pharma, with 25 global firms present. PM Modi urged “Design in India” expansion, leveraging MSMEs for propulsion tech.
Make in India Campaign Momentum
- Make in India drives FDI in manufacturing since 2014, with aviation as a priority sector.
- Safran’s entry exemplifies policy success, aligning with Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.
Launched in 2014, Make in India has transformed sectors like defense and aviation, attracting Safran’s deep integration at the PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event. The initiative facilitates 100% FDI, skill development, and IP protection, positioning India for $1 trillion manufacturing by 2030. PM Modi hailed betting on India as the decade’s smartest decision, echoing Safran’s revenue projections.
In aviation, Make in India addresses import reliance, with recent GST rationalization and MRO guidelines spurring growth. Safran’s JV with Bharat Electronics for “Hammer” weapons and Bangalore facilities (avionics, actuation) amplify local value addition. The PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event’s humor masked strategic depth: Ross McInnes’ “Made in India” nod personalizes corporate buy-in.
India’s MRO market eyes $4.1 billion by 2031, supported by uniform 5% IGST on parts. Over 220 airports planned by 2025, with UDAN enhancing connectivity. Hyderabad’s cluster, housing Boeing and Airbus, exported ₹30,742 crore in FY24.
At the inauguration of Safran Aircraft Engine Services India’s facility in Hyderabad, PM @narendramodi emphasized that those who invest in India are seen not just as investors, but as true co-creators in the nation’s growth journey. @PMOIndia @MoCA_GoI pic.twitter.com/HbqSX4N69D
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) November 26, 2025
India’s Aviation Sector Surge
- Third-largest domestic market with 6.9% global growth leadership.
- Orders for 1,500+ planes fuel MRO demand.
India ranks third globally in domestic aviation, contributing $53.6 billion to GDP and 7.7 million jobs in 2023. The PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event arrives amid 15% YoY growth, with domestic traffic at 1.61 billion passengers January-December 2024. LEAP engines dominate, with 400+ aircraft and 2,000 on order.
Policy reforms like National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 and UDAN democratize travel, targeting 220 airports by 2025. Air India’s 344 Airbus orders, including 100 recent A320/A350, exemplify fleet expansion. Safran’s facility cuts forex outflows, previously 85% abroad. PM Modi positioned India as MRO hub, urging engine design ventures.
Hyderabad’s precision engineering draws Tata, Bharat Forge, boosting exports. Telangana aims for $1 trillion economy by 2034, tying into Make in India.
Global Partnerships and Future Outlook
- Safran-France ties deepen via Rafale, civil engine pacts.
- Revenue tripling to €3Bn signals investor confidence.
The PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event strengthens Indo-French aviation bonds, building on Rafale deals (36 air, 26 naval). Safran’s €30 million Bangalore investments (engineering, manufacturing) employ 650, enhancing avionics. CEO Andriès credits government trust for growth.
Globally, India’s 4.2% air traffic share trails only USA, China, with Boeing forecasting 1,740 planes worth $240 billion by 2040. Airbus predicts 11% domestic CAGR. Safran’s training builds talent for propulsion design.
Closing Assessment
The PM Modi Safran Hyderabad event, capped by the “Made in India” jest, exemplifies how humor humanizes high-stakes economics, propelling Make in India forward. With Safran’s massive MRO launch, India slashes MRO import dependence, creates thousands of jobs, and eyes global hub status amid 1,500+ aircraft orders. Official projections affirm aviation’s $53.6 billion GDP role, set for exponential rise.
This milestone invites more OEMs to co-create Viksit Bharat, blending policy, talent, and investment. As PM Modi noted, India treats partners as stakeholders in developed nation journey. The laughter echoes promise: strategic bets yield enduring gains.
