As the Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 36 Rafale jets, and the country has ordered 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) carrier-based fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy, French aerospace and defence major Safran has offered to establish a final assembly line for critical Rafale jet equipment in India, contingent on additional orders from the Indian Air Force.
Safran CEO Olivier Andries, on Wednesday, spoke about the long-term plans the French company has for India
He said the company will be committed to having a final assembly line of critical equipment for Rafale jets) in India, if there are additional Rafale fighter jet orders by the IAF.
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If this happens, it would be the first time such a facility would be established outside France.
The company supplies the M88 engines, which power the aircraft, and other major components for Rafale jets to India, including electrical and oxygen systems, landing gear, ejectable seats, fuel systems, and air conditioning systems.
"We have a lot of critical equipment on the Rafale (jets)," Andries was quoted as saying.
On Wednesday, a groundbreaking ceremony was also conducted for Safran's dedicated MRO facility for the M88 engine in Hyderabad. The 5,000-square-metre facility represents an investment of over 40 million euros, and will provide MRO services for more than 600 engine modules a year and employ up to 150 people at full capacity.
"Prioritising engines on aircraft operated by the IAF, it will also perform MRO for other M88 export customers. India is a long-standing customer for Safran's military engines," the company said in a release.
Meanwhile, the Safran Aircraft Engine Services set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP (leading-edge aviation propulsion) engines used in commercial aircraft in Hyderabad.
—With PTI inputs