The present invention provides a turbofan engine including leading edge erosion protection for composite stator vanes contained therein. The composite stator vanes are defined by a leading edge, a trailing edge, a concave surface and a convex surface. The vanes are generally formed of a graphite fiber and an aramid fiber braided preform that is laminated with an epoxy matrix resin or other high temperature matrix resin. A wire mesh screen is embedded during a molding process into an outermost surface of the leading edge of the epoxy matrix resin. A tapering erosion protection layer comprised of an erosion protective material is applied to the wire mesh screen at the leading edge of the composite stator vane an aids in protecting the leading edge of the stator vane from debris and contaminants, including operational fluids, dust, and sand that may be carried in an air stream passing therethrough the turbofan engine, as well as an erosive operational environment.