French aerospace major Safran has announced its decision to set up a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Rafale fighter jet engines in Hyderabad, India. 

This facility, to be named Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, will be the first of its kind outside France dedicated to the M88 engines that power Dassault Aviation's Rafale aircraft.

The facility will primarily focus on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of M88 engines, which are used in both the Indian Air Force's existing Rafale fleet and the upcoming 26 Rafale-M (marine version) jets being procured for the Indian Navy.

The new MRO shop will have a capacity to handle over 600 engine modules per year.

 The initial phase of the project is expected to create approximately 150 new jobs by the end of 2025, with the potential to generate an additional 750 positions in subsequent phases.