Adani Group and Italian aerospace company Leonardo have announced a strategic partnership to develop an integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The initiative is expected to strengthen the ‘Make in India’ mission and enhance the country’s self-reliance in aviation.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in New Delhi, will focus on meeting the Indian Armed Forces’ needs, particularly for Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters. The partnership will enable phased indigenization, robust maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, as well as comprehensive pilot training.
India currently has a low helicopter density, with fewer than 250 helicopters for its population, and is expected to require around 100 helicopters annually over the next decade.
Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Defence & Aerospace, described the initiative as laying the foundation for an aviation ecosystem that serves both civil and defence sectors. He emphasized that the partnership with Leonardo is driven by both shared expertise and a shared purpose, aiming to integrate manufacturing, assembly, training, and support on Indian soil.
Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, noted that with projected demand exceeding 1,000 helicopters over the next ten years, the collaboration supports India’s vision for sovereign manufacturing.
Leonardo, a global leader in aerospace, defence, and security, views India as a significant market with growing helicopter requirements. Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo highlighted the increasing demand from the country’s armed forces.
The announcement follows last week’s news that Adani Defence & Aerospace signed a strategic agreement with Brazilian company Embraer to establish a regional aircraft manufacturing facility in India.
