Key Highlights
- Adani Defence and Aerospace and Leonardo sign strategic partnership for helicopter manufacturing in India.
- Collaboration aims to develop an integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem.
- Partnership targets military requirements and future demand of over 1,000 helicopters.
- Focus includes phased indigenisation, MRO facilities and pilot training.
- Initiative supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and defence self-reliance goals.
- Project expected to create high-skill jobs and strengthen domestic aerospace supply chains.
Adani Defence & Aerospace has entered into a strategic partnership with global aerospace major Leonardo to develop an integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The collaboration is aimed at addressing rising military requirements while strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities in the defence aviation sector.
Under the partnership, the two companies plan to jointly develop, manufacture and sustain helicopters in India, with a focus on meeting the operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces. The programme is expected to support advanced helicopter platforms and enable phased indigenisation across manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, along with pilot training infrastructure.
The initiative is designed to support India’s long-term defence preparedness and self-reliance goals. By combining Leonardo’s helicopter design and engineering capabilities with Adani Defence & Aerospace’s industrial and defence manufacturing expertise, the collaboration seeks to create a robust supply chain and local industrial base for rotary-wing aircraft.
In addition to military applications, the helicopter ecosystem is expected to have the potential to expand into civil aviation and international supply chains over time. Localised production and sustainment activities are anticipated to generate significant employment opportunities across engineering, manufacturing, logistics and support services.
Industry projections indicate substantial demand for helicopters in India over the coming decade, driven by modernisation requirements across defence and security forces. The partnership aims to position India as a competitive and reliable hub for helicopter manufacturing, contributing to both national security objectives and the growth of the domestic aerospace industry.
The development marks a significant step in India’s efforts to build indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities while integrating with global aerospace value chains, reinforcing the country’s ambition to emerge as a key player in the global helicopter market.