Tata Advanced Systems Partnership with Safran Inaugurates Manufacturing Facility for LEAP Engine

Tata Advanced Systems Limited, in partnership with Safran Aircraft Engines, inaugurated their cutting-edge manufacturing facility at the Tata Centre of Excellence for Aero Engines in Adibatla, Hyderabad on October 28. The facility will produce complex rotating parts for the CFM LEAP engine, including cutting-edge machining and special processes under one roof.

The ceremony was held in the presence of minister for information technology, electronics & communications, industries & commerce, and legislative affairs, government of Telangana, D. Sridhar Babu, along with senior officials from Tata Advanced Systems, Safran and government dignitaries.

The inauguration ceremony marks a significant milestone in the strategic collaboration announced in January 2024, when both companies signed a long-term agreement for the production of rotating parts for the LEAP engine, developed by CFM International, a 50-50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. LEAP engines, which power the majority of new generation narrowbody aircraft, continue to deliver on performance commitments, with 15 per cent better fuel efficiency, much lower noise than previous generation engines and high utilisation.

“Rotative Aeroengine components represent the pinnacle of aerospace technology and this world-class facility reflects our commitment to building advanced manufacturing capabilities in India and our proven ability to industrialize complex global aerospace programs,” said chief executive officer and managing director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Sukaran Singh. “Being part of the LEAP programme—among the world’s highest-selling engine platforms—underscores our focus on precision, quality, and excellence for the global aerospace supply chain.”

“Beyond its state-of-the-art infrastructure, this plant lies at the very heart of Safran Aircraft Engines’ Supply chain strategy: manufacturing closer to our markets, strengthening our supply chain resilience, and delivering to our customers the highest standards of quality, safety, performance, and sustainability”, said senior vice president purchasing, Safran Aircraft Engines, Dominique Dupuy. “This is a significant milestone for both Safran Aircraft Engines and our partner, Tata Advanced Systems Limited which marks a new chapter in our partnership, driven by our shared commitment to industrial excellence and technological innovation in aerospace.”

India represents the third-largest operator of LEAP engines globally, with 75 per cent of Indian commercial aircraft equipped with CFM’s advanced turbofan technology. To date, more than 2,000 LEAP engines have been ordered by Indian airlines, underscoring the critical importance of establishing robust manufacturing and support capabilities in the country.

The Tata Centre of Excellence for Aero Engines, established in 2018, has been purpose-built to manufacture complex aeroengine components for India and the global supply chain. The facility incorporates Industry 4.0 practices, featuring advanced precision-machining technologies and complex aeroengine special processes under one roof.