Rakesh Chopdar’s journey from a Class 10 dropout to the founder of a global aerospace and defence manufacturing company is a story of hands-on learning, persistence and precision.
Chopdar began working at the age of 16 in his father’s small workshop in Hyderabad, where he learned to operate machines and understand manufacturing from the shop floor. Without an engineering degree, he spent years mastering the practical aspects of precision engineering.
A major turning point came when he took on the challenge of manufacturing complex aerofoil components for a European thermal power turbine manufacturer. The successful order laid the foundation for AZAD Engineering, which he officially established in 2008 with a single second-hand CNC machine.
What began as a modest workshop eventually grew into a precision manufacturing partner for some of the world’s biggest industrial and aerospace companies. AZAD now manufactures critical components for gas, steam and aero engines and works with global names including Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney and other major aerospace and defence companies.
In January 2024, Rolls-Royce named AZAD Engineering a strategic partner for manufacturing complex components for defence aircraft engines. The company has also collaborated with Indian institutions including HAL, BHEL and DRDO.
The story of Rakesh Chopdar is a reminder that an academic setback does not have to define a person’s future. From a small Hyderabad workshop to the global aerospace supply chain, his journey shows how hands-on skill, persistence and the ability to deliver precision can open doors to the world’s most demanding industries.
