Mumbai-Based Kusumgar Signs Long-Term Aerospace Supply Agreement with France’s Safran

Mumbai-based Kusumgar Limited, a leading Indian manufacturer of engineered fabrics and aerospace and defence solutions, has signed a long-term supply agreement with French aerospace major Safran. The partnership marks an important development in the Indian company’s expansion into international aerospace supply chains and strengthens industrial cooperation between India and France.

Kusumgar confirmed the agreement through an official company announcement in October 2026. The contract will support Safran’s existing supply chain and ongoing production programmes while creating opportunities for Kusumgar to expand its aerospace manufacturing activities.

The development comes as Safran accelerates its sourcing and manufacturing partnerships in India, positioning Indian companies to play a larger role in its global aerospace and defence operations.

Kusumgar Expands Aerospace Partnership with Safran

Under the agreement, Kusumgar will strengthen its participation in Safran’s aerospace supply chain, building on its experience in manufacturing specialised technical textiles and engineered materials.

The Indian company described the agreement as a significant milestone in its aerospace business, reflecting a shared commitment to industrial collaboration and reliable supply-chain partnerships.Safran is a major international aerospace and defence technology company with operations spanning aircraft propulsion, equipment and defence systems. Its expanding manufacturing requirements create opportunities for specialised Indian suppliers capable of supporting demanding aerospace applications.

For Kusumgar, the partnership represents an opportunity to develop its position as a supplier to international aerospace manufacturers while strengthening its capabilities in advanced materials and specialised industrial solutions.The agreement also reflects the increasing importance of Indian companies within global aerospace manufacturing networks.

Kusumgar’s Advanced Technical Textile Manufacturing Capabilities

Established in 1970, Kusumgar has developed extensive expertise in technical textiles, engineered fabrics and specialised solutions for industrial, aerospace and defence applications.

Headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the company operates three manufacturing facilities in Gujarat and employs more than 1,000 people.According to its official company profile, Kusumgar manufactures more than two million metres of fabric every month, using materials that include nylon, polyester and aramid fibres.

Unlike conventional textiles, technical textiles are designed primarily for their functional properties. Depending on the application, these materials can provide specialised characteristics such as high strength, low weight, resistance to environmental conditions and controlled air permeability.Kusumgar’s manufacturing capabilities extend across a wide range of fabric specifications, enabling the company to develop materials suited to different industrial requirements.

Its experience in engineered materials provides a foundation for expanding participation in aerospace manufacturing, where material consistency, reliability and performance are essential.

Aerospace and Defence Products Developed by Kusumgar

Kusumgar has established a dedicated Aerospace and Defence Solutions business that develops specialised products using technical fabrics and associated engineering technologies.

The company’s aerospace portfolio includes cargo-drop parachutes, tactical assault parachute systems, high-altitude penetrator parachutes, drogue parachutes and recovery parachute systems.It also manufactures products associated with entry, descent and landing applications, demonstrating its capabilities in specialised fabric-based aerospace systems.

Beyond aerospace applications, Kusumgar produces multispectral camouflage nets, ghillie suits, inflatable decoys and rapidly deployable shelters for defence requirements. These products combine engineered textiles with additional components and technologies to meet specialised operational requirements.

The company’s experience across aerospace and defence applications strengthens its position in an industry where lightweight materials, durability and dependable performance are important considerations.

Safran Strengthens Indian Aerospace Supply Chain

Safran has been expanding its industrial and sourcing activities in India as part of its strategy to establish a more resilient and globally competitive aerospace supply chain.On October 8, 2026, the French aerospace group organised its second Supplier Conference India in Bengaluru, bringing together more than 115 representatives from its supplier community.

The conference focused on strengthening local manufacturing capabilities, expanding sourcing opportunities and preparing Indian suppliers for Safran’s growing production requirements.According to Safran’s official announcement on October 16, the event included more than 70 business-to-business meetings and resulted in the signing of 15 contracts or Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The conference highlighted India’s growing importance in Safran’s global industrial network and its plans to increase cooperation with Indian manufacturing enterprises.Safran has identified capacity, performance, resilience and competitiveness as four major priorities for its supplier ecosystem.

These priorities are intended to prepare suppliers for higher production volumes and the increasingly demanding requirements of future aerospace programmes.

Safran Expands Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing in India

Safran’s expanding Indian operations encompass aircraft engines, maintenance facilities, defence equipment and aerospace electronics.

The company has developed maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities in Hyderabad for LEAP aircraft engines and the M88 engines used by Rafale fighter aircraft. Its industrial activities also include aerospace electronics operations in Bengaluru and cooperation involving the assembly of HAMMER air-to-surface weapons.

Safran is additionally pursuing a helicopter engine maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Goa in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). These projects form part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its industrial presence in India while creating opportunities for Indian manufacturers to participate in international aerospace production programmes.

As Safran expands its manufacturing and maintenance activities, Indian suppliers are gaining access to opportunities across specialised materials, engineering, components and associated industrial services.

The long-term agreement with Kusumgar forms part of this expanding industrial relationship.

Make in India Creates Opportunities for Advanced Material Suppliers

The growing participation of Indian manufacturers in international aerospace programmes supports the objectives of the Make in India initiative and India’s efforts to develop globally competitive industrial capabilities.

Technical textiles represent an important segment of advanced manufacturing because their applications extend across aerospace, defence, automotive, industrial equipment and specialised protective systems. Aerospace manufacturing places considerable emphasis on product quality, material performance, manufacturing consistency and dependable supply arrangements.

Companies developing expertise in these areas can expand beyond domestic markets and become part of international production networks. Kusumgar’s agreement with Safran reflects the opportunities available to Indian technical textile manufacturers as global aerospace companies expand their sourcing relationships.

The partnership also strengthens India’s position in specialised manufacturing segments that require advanced materials and application-specific engineering expertise.

Safran Focuses on Supplier Excellence and Manufacturing Readiness

As part of its industrial expansion, Safran is promoting the Aero Excellence framework to strengthen operational performance and manufacturing maturity across its supplier network.

The company has established a target for all its industrial sites to achieve the framework’s Bronze level by the end of 2028. Safran also intends to support its major suppliers in achieving Bronze-level performance by the end of 2030.

According to the company’s October 16 announcement, 37% of its Indian supplier panel had already joined the Aero Excellence programme in 2026. The initiative focuses on improving manufacturing performance, operational consistency and supply-chain readiness.

Safran’s growing emphasis on supplier development creates opportunities for Indian manufacturers to strengthen their industrial processes and align with international aerospace production requirements. Long-term partnerships with companies such as Kusumgar can contribute to this broader process of industrial capability development.

Kusumgar-Safran Agreement Strengthens India-France Aerospace Cooperation

The agreement between Kusumgar and Safran represents another development in the expanding industrial relationship between India and France.

The two countries have established extensive cooperation in aerospace and defence, supported by growing engagement between manufacturers, technology companies and specialised engineering enterprises. Safran’s increasing reliance on Indian suppliers reflects the competitiveness of India’s manufacturing sector and its growing capabilities in advanced industrial technologies.

For Kusumgar, the partnership provides an opportunity to extend its aerospace business and strengthen its position within an international manufacturing ecosystem.The agreement also demonstrates how Indian companies specialising in advanced materials and technical textiles are expanding their participation in high-value aerospace supply chains.

Through this long-term collaboration, Kusumgar and Safran are strengthening industrial cooperation, supporting India’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem and contributing to the country’s growing role in global aerospace and defence production.

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References

1. Kusumgar Limited — Official Company Announcement, October 2026. Kusumgar Limited Announces Long-Term Supply Agreement with Safran for Aerospace Applications.
   Kusumgar Official LinkedIn Page
2. Safran — Official Corporate Announcement, October 16, 2026. Safran and Its Indian Suppliers Gear Up for the Next Industrial Ramp-Up.
   https://www.safran-group.com/news/safran-and-its-indian-suppliers-gear-next-industrial-ramp-2026-10-16
3. Kusumgar Limited — Official Website. Aerospace and Defence Solutions: Product Portfolio and Manufacturing Capabilities.
   https://www.kusumgar.com/our-segments/aerospace-and-defence-solutions/
4. Kusumgar Limited — Official Website. Company Information and Technical Textile Manufacturing.
   https://www.kusumgar.com/

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