Inaugurating the HAL-Safran helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Sattari District, North Goa recently, defence minister of India Mr. Manohar Parrikar urged Safran to also consider manufacturing engines in Goa. Recommending the defence offset route under the intergovernmental agreement inked for delivery of 36 Rafales, Parrikar said that Safran could also manufacture Rafale or Snecma engines in Goa.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Parrikar said this is a step towards creating employment opportunities with corresponding boost to the economic activities in Goa. “This is the right place for MRO activities related to helicopter engines. We have a local talent to meet the skill requirement for the project. There will be more expectations from all of us and we will progress”, he added.
The defence minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone for INR 170 crore joint venture between HAL and Safran.
Initially, the joint venture named HE MRO will employ 80-100 technicians and train them to repair and maintain helicopter engines. Mr. Parrikar was of the strong opinion that Safran, which supplies two thirds of the aviation engines used by the Indian Armed forces, could utilize the defence offset route to start engine manufacturing in Goa.
