Safran Aircraft Engines announced the plan to set up a new plant in India to produce parts for the LEAP engine from CFM International. Engines manufacturer sees this step as a significant investment in a rapidly developing Indian aviation.

According to Safran’s statement, the company is determined to invest 36 million euros in a new facility the construction of which is expected to start already in June 2019 and last until early 2020. The new plant will cover 13,000 square meters , including 8,000 square meters of workshop.

With a new building, Safran, which has a great experience in working with the Indian market, as it operates in the country already for 65 years, will contribute to boosting employment rates by creating additional job positions in the aviation sector. Initially it will employ nearly 50 people to run the facility in the end of 2019 and later on it plans to recruit about 300 employees.

When the plant hits cruise speed in 2023, it will be able to deliver 15,000 parts per year to support the LEAP’s sustained production rate. CFM is set to deliver 1,800 engines this year, rising to 2,000 starting in 2020.

The new-generation LEAP entered service in 2016 and powers more than 700 Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX commercial airliners, including 54 operated by Indian airlines.