Safran Signs 18 Agreements with Indian Aerospace Suppliers, Expanding Make in India Manufacturing Partnerships

French aerospace and defence major Safran has announced the signing of 18 awards, contracts and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Indian aerospace suppliers, strengthening its industrial cooperation with India under the Make in India initiative. The agreements were concluded during Safran’s Second Supplier Conference, held in Bengaluru on October 8, 2026.

The conference brought together more than 100 suppliers and industrial partners from India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem. Senior Safran executives and technical specialists from France joined the company’s Indian leadership and procurement teams to explore opportunities in aerospace manufacturing, engineering and supply-chain development.

The announcement, published on October 10, 2026, confirms that 18 agreements and supplier awards were concluded during the event. Safran presented the conference as part of its strategy to increase procurement from Indian manufacturers and integrate more domestic companies into its international aerospace operations.

The development builds on Safran’s November 2025 announcement that it intends to multiply its sourcing from India fivefold while expanding its local manufacturing and maintenance operations.

Safran’s Second Supplier Conference Brings Together Over 100 Indian Companies

The Bengaluru conference provided a platform for direct engagement between Safran’s global procurement organisation and Indian aerospace manufacturers.

Representatives from Safran’s French operations participated alongside its Indian country leadership and newly established Indian international purchasing organisation team. The discussions covered industrial collaboration, supplier development and opportunities for Indian companies to participate in the group’s global aerospace supply chains.

A significant outcome was the signing of 18 agreements and awards, demonstrating Safran’s intention to expand its relationships with Indian industrial partners.

However, the publicly available conference announcement does not identify all 18 recipients individually. It also does not provide a complete breakdown of the signed contracts, MoUs and supplier awards, their commercial values or their respective manufacturing deliverables.

This distinction is important because a binding manufacturing contract, a preliminary MoU and a supplier recognition award represent different levels of commercial commitment.

Eighteen Agreements Cover Rafale and Commercial Aviation Programmes

Safran’s supplier conference addressed both military and commercial aerospace requirements. According to a statement shared by a member of its Indian leadership team, the 18 contracts, awards and MoUs covered Rafale-related activities and commercial aviation programmes.

The conference also featured approximately 70 business-to-business engagements, allowing Indian manufacturers to discuss sourcing requirements directly with Safran’s procurement and technical specialists.

The agreements form part of a wider effort to create a more vertically integrated aerospace supply chain in India. Such a supply chain can encompass precision machining, component manufacturing, specialised processes, assembly, testing and industrial quality control.

The official announcement confirms the collective signing of 18 agreements and awards, but does not establish the number belonging to each programme or disclose their individual values.

Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems Explore Rafale Manufacturing Joint Venture

One recently announced agreement involves Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 7, 2026, to explore establishing a joint venture in India.

Hical confirmed that the proposed partnership would focus on manufacturing complex systems for the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft programme. The Bengaluru-based company specialises in precision electromechanical equipment, including actuators, motors, solenoids, transformers, cable harnesses and systems integration.

The proposed venture would combine Hical’s manufacturing capabilities with Safran Aerosystems’ aerospace technology expertise. Its objective is to establish Indian manufacturing capabilities for specialised systems used in military aviation.

The agreement remains exploratory. The companies have not publicly confirmed a completed joint venture, its ownership structure, manufacturing investment or production schedule.

Although the announcement coincided with Safran’s October supplier conference, available disclosures do not establish whether this particular MoU was included among the 18 conference agreements.

Aequs Expands Manufacturing Relationship with Safran Landing Systems

Indian aerospace manufacturer Aequs has also expanded its relationship with Safran through a long-term aircraft wheel manufacturing programme.

During the first quarter of FY 2026–27, Aequs secured a contract to manufacture fully assembled Airbus A320-family aircraft wheels for Safran Landing Systems. The company described the agreement as a 15-year, single-source manufacturing arrangement involving end-to-end production in India.

The programme represents an expansion from manufacturing individual precision components towards supplying more complete aerospace assemblies.

Aircraft wheel production requires tightly controlled manufacturing processes, materials, dimensional tolerances and quality assurance procedures. Supplying finished assemblies provides Indian manufacturers with an opportunity to undertake more complex production responsibilities within international aerospace programmes.

Aequs has an established manufacturing ecosystem in Belagavi, Karnataka, encompassing precision machining, forging, surface treatment and assembly.

The wheel contract predates the October 8 supplier conference, and there is no confirmed evidence that it formed part of the 18 agreements announced at the event.

HAL and Safran Expand Cooperation in Aircraft Engine Manufacturing

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is another important Indian industrial partner in Safran’s aerospace manufacturing strategy.

In February 2025, Safran Aircraft Engines and HAL signed a contract for manufacturing forged turbine components used in LEAP aircraft engines. The agreement followed an October 2023 MoU aimed at increasing Indian participation in commercial aircraft engine manufacturing.

The cooperation supports production of the LEAP engine family, which powers aircraft including the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.

Safran and HAL have also established Safran HAL Aircraft Engines, a joint venture in Bengaluru dedicated to manufacturing engine components.

This arrangement is particularly significant because aircraft engine components operate under demanding mechanical and thermal conditions, requiring specialised materials, production processes and inspection standards.

The HAL manufacturing contract is an established partnership announced before October 2026 and should be distinguished from the 18 agreements concluded during the latest supplier conference.

Aravalli Helicopter Engine Programme Advances Indigenous Propulsion Development

Safran’s industrial relationship with HAL also extends to the development of a new generation of military helicopter engines.

On August 26, 2026, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines signed a contract with SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Private Limited for the design, development, manufacture, supply and lifecycle support of the Aravalli helicopter engine.

The engine is being developed in the 3,500–4,000 shaft-horsepower class for HAL’s proposed Indian Multi-Role Helicopter and its naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter.

Unlike agreements limited to component manufacturing, the Aravalli programme involves the development of a complete propulsion system. It therefore has broader implications for India’s long-term capabilities in helicopter engine engineering, manufacturing and maintenance.

The programme forms part of Safran’s established cooperation with India’s aerospace industry rather than a newly identified contract from the October supplier conference.

Safran Plans Fivefold Increase in Sourcing from India

Safran’s October 2026 supplier engagement builds on the industrial expansion strategy announced by the company on November 26, 2025.

During that announcement, Safran Chief Executive Officer Olivier Andriès stated that the group intended to increase its sourcing from India fivefold while expanding its local manufacturing, engineering and maintenance operations.

Safran also projected that its annual revenue in India would exceed €3 billion by 2030, with approximately half generated through its Indian operations.

The strategy involves strengthening local supplier relationships and expanding India’s role in the group’s worldwide operations. Safran’s international activities cover aircraft engines, landing systems, electrical equipment, avionics, aerospace components and defence technologies.

The latest supplier conference provides a practical mechanism for implementing this strategy by connecting Indian manufacturers with the group’s purchasing teams.

Hyderabad Emerges as a Major Safran Aerospace Maintenance Hub

Safran’s investment in India extends beyond component procurement to aircraft engine maintenance and lifecycle support.

In November 2025, the company inaugurated its largest maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for CFM International LEAP engines in Hyderabad. The facility represents an investment of approximately €200 million and occupies an area of 45,000 square metres.

The centre is designed to handle up to 300 engine shop visits annually when operating at full capacity. Safran expects the facility to employ approximately 1,100 people at full operational scale, supported by a training centre for Indian technicians and engineers.

The company also announced a separate maintenance facility for the M88 engine used by the Rafale fighter aircraft.

That project involves an investment exceeding €40 million and is designed to service more than 600 engine modules annually. It will initially prioritise engines used by the Indian Air Force while also supporting other Rafale operators.

These facilities establish a broader industrial environment in which Indian suppliers can participate in component manufacturing, maintenance support, specialised tooling and engineering services.

Bengaluru Strengthens Its Position in Safran’s Electronics and Engineering Network

Safran has also been expanding its presence in Bengaluru through investments in aerospace electronics, engineering and advanced systems.

In February 2025, Safran Electronics & Defense announced plans for a new production facility manufacturing electronic cards and aerospace and defence computing equipment.

The company also established an engineering centre specialising in avionics and actuation technologies.

According to Safran’s November 2025 announcement, the engineering centre was operational and expected to expand to approximately 250 employees. A separate electronics and actuation manufacturing facility was scheduled to begin operations in 2026, with plans for approximately 400 employees.

These investments strengthen India’s participation in aerospace electronics and systems engineering, complementing the country’s existing capabilities in precision manufacturing and mechanical components.

Supplier Agreements Create Opportunities for Indian Aerospace Manufacturers

The expansion of Safran’s Indian supplier network creates opportunities across several areas of aerospace manufacturing.

Aircraft engine programmes require components that meet stringent standards for dimensional accuracy, materials, surface treatment and quality assurance. Landing gear and associated equipment demand similarly specialised production capabilities, while aircraft electrical systems require reliable harnesses, connectors and electronic assemblies.

Indian manufacturers that qualify for international aerospace programmes must demonstrate consistent production quality, documentation, traceability and delivery performance.

These requirements encourage investment in advanced manufacturing equipment, inspection technologies and workforce training.

Participation in international supply chains can also help Indian companies diversify their customer base beyond domestic defence procurement. Long-term relationships with global aerospace manufacturers provide opportunities to supply components for aircraft operating in multiple international markets.

The October 2026 conference reflects Safran’s continuing effort to identify suppliers capable of meeting these requirements and undertaking increasingly complex industrial responsibilities.

Make in India Strategy Expands Beyond Final Aircraft Assembly

India’s aerospace industrial development is increasingly moving beyond the assembly of complete aircraft towards the manufacture of critical components and integrated systems.

Aircraft manufacturing depends on extensive networks of specialised suppliers producing thousands of individual parts. The competitiveness of an aerospace industry therefore rests partly on its ability to support precision engineering, advanced materials, electronics and certified manufacturing processes.

Safran’s Indian strategy addresses several elements of this industrial structure through engine component manufacturing, avionics development, aerospace electronics, maintenance facilities and partnerships with local companies.

The company’s supplier engagement also supports India’s objective of attracting international aerospace manufacturing work while developing domestic technological expertise.

Greater participation in global supply chains can strengthen the capabilities of Indian manufacturers and create additional opportunities for engineering companies, research institutions and smaller industrial enterprises.

Safran’s 18 Agreements Mark Further Expansion of India-France Aerospace Cooperation

The Second Safran Supplier Conference demonstrates the growing depth of industrial cooperation between India and France.

The signing of 18 contracts, MoUs and supplier awards, alongside direct engagement with more than 100 Indian companies, reflects Safran’s intention to develop a larger and more capable manufacturing network in India.

Its broader investments in LEAP engine manufacturing, Rafale-related support, aerospace electronics and helicopter propulsion provide an industrial foundation for this expansion.

The growing participation of Indian companies in Safran’s international programmes strengthens India’s position in global aerospace manufacturing, creating opportunities to develop advanced engineering capabilities, expand exports and increase domestic value addition.

The Bengaluru conference represents another step towards integrating India’s aerospace industry into international production networks and advancing the country’s Make in India ambitions.

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References

1. Safran — Official Company Announcement, October 2026. Safran’s Second Supplier Conference: 18 New Contracts/MoUs Signed — Accelerating Growth and Shared Commitment to Make in India. Conference held in Bengaluru on October 8, 2026.
   https://www.linkedin.com/company/safran/
2. Safran — November 26, 2025. Safran Steps Up Expansion in India for Civil and Military Aviation and Deepens Commitment to Make in India.
   https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/safran-steps-expansion-india-civil-and-military-aviation-and-deepens-commitment-make-india-2025-11-26
3. Hical Technologies — Official Company Website and Corporate Announcements. Information on the proposed partnership with Safran Aerosystems for the Rafale programme.
   https://www.hical.com/
4. Aequs Limited — Official Corporate Disclosures and Investor Presentations, FY 2026–27. Aerospace manufacturing activities and supplier relationships.
   https://www.aequs.com/
5. Safran — February 12, 2025. Safran and HAL Sign Contract to Produce Forged Parts for LEAP Engines.
   https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/safran-hal-signent-contrat-production-pieces-forgees-equipant-moteurs-leap-2025-02-12-0
6. Safran — August 26, 2026. HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines Sign Final Contract with SAFHAL, Launching Development and Production of the Aravalli Engine.
   https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/hal-and-safran-helicopter-engines-sign-final-contract-safhal-launching-development-and-production-2026-08-26

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