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French aerospace giant Safran is positioning the local production of its M88 turbofan engine as a central pillar of Dassault Aviation's bid for the Indian Air Force's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) competition.
As New Delhi enforces strict "Make in India" policies, manufacturing the Rafale fighter's engine domestically has emerged as a vital step to satisfy the ambitious industrial participation rules of the 114-jet programme.
According to industry insiders, any potential agreement under the MRFA would see the M88 engine achieving between 40% and 60% indigenous content.
Offering such a high degree of local manufacturing and technology transfer for a Western combat engine marks an unprecedented move in India's defence aviation sector.
Safran's Chief Executive, Olivier Andriès, has publicly reinforced this commitment, confirming the company's readiness to set up a dedicated engine assembly line in India and source components from local suppliers.
This localization effort is not just an added bonus; it is a strict requirement for a competitive bid. The broader MRFA tender demands that up to 60% of the entire aircraft package be produced indigenously.
Because the propulsion system is historically one of the most complex and import-reliant parts of a fighter jet, reaching that overall 60% threshold would be nearly impossible without shifting a large portion of engine manufacturing to Indian soil.
Under the proposed production strategy, the initial batch of Rafales would be built in France, after which assembly would transition entirely to India. Analysts project that if Dassault secures the contract, about 96 of the 114 aircraft could ultimately be rolled out from Indian facilities.
Because the Rafale is a twin-engine fighter, this domestic fleet would require around 192 M88 turbofans just for operational use. Factoring in an estimated 12 spare engines for routine maintenance and replacements, the total domestic production requirement would easily exceed 200 engines.
Establishing a production line of this magnitude would place the M88 initiative on par with the massive manufacturing network created by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Su-30MKI's Russian-origin AL-31FP engines.
Over the long term, this project would move beyond basic assembly to include advanced machining, fabrication, testing, and comprehensive repair work, fostering a robust network of local component suppliers.
Safran has already begun laying the groundwork for this ecosystem; in late 2025, the company inaugurated a €40 million Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility specifically dedicated to M88 engines in Hyderabad.
From a strategic standpoint, building fighter engines at home offers India immense security advantages.
The supply chains for military aviation are highly sensitive, and a domestic manufacturing base shields the Indian Air Force from the risk of delayed overseas shipments during geopolitical crises.
Furthermore, it ensures quicker turnaround times for fleet maintenance, keeping more jets ready for active duty while granting Indian industries invaluable hands-on experience with advanced turbine technology.
Finally, the M88 proposal fits seamlessly into Safran's expanding footprint in the Indian defence market.
The French manufacturer is currently collaborating with the Defence Research and Development Organisation's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to co-develop a powerful 110–120 kN engine for India's upcoming fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk2.
Rather than a standalone project, the localization of the M88 serves as a stepping stone in a much larger, long-term Indo-French partnership aimed at transforming India into a self-reliant aerospace powerhouse.
