A major step toward strengthening India’s defence manufacturing capabilities was announced with a new strategic partnership between Adani Defence and Aerospace and global aerospace and defence company Leonardo. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a fully integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India, aimed at meeting rising military requirements and boosting domestic production capacity.
The collaboration will focus on fulfilling the Indian Armed Forces’ demand for modern helicopters, especially Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM platforms. The partnership will enable phased indigenization across manufacturing, along with strong maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities and pilot training infrastructure. By combining Leonardo’s helicopter design and engineering expertise with Adani Defence’s broad defence and aerospace capabilities, the initiative supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and enhances India’s defence readiness. The ecosystem may also expand into civil aviation and global supply chains over time.
The project is expected to deliver wide economic benefits by creating thousands of skilled jobs across engineering, manufacturing, logistics and sustainment services. It positions India as a competitive hub for helicopter production and long term support. Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Defence and Aerospace, said: “This alliance with Leonardo is a pivotal stride toward a resilient, future proof helicopter ecosystem in India. Merging global excellence with our industrial momentum, we will drive enduring value, high skill employment, and alignment with Aatmanirbhar Bharat to position India as a global aerospace powerhouse.”
Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO, Adani Defence and Aerospace, added: “With the Indian Armed Forces projecting demand for over 1000 helicopters in the coming decade, this partnership realizes our vision for sovereign manufacturing. It will accelerate indigenization, strengthen supply chains, and establish India as a world class production base.” Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters, said: “We’re extremely pleased to join forces with Adani to provide our contribution to India’s vision for an even stronger and growing role of their rotorcraft industry, and to enable the country to access the level of modern technology and operational capability it deserves. We look forward to making progress in this endeavour, leveraging our complementary expertise to deliver the best solutions.”
Leonardo employs 60000 people globally and operates across helicopters, electronics, aeronautics, cyber security and space, with major programmes including Eurofighter, JSF, NH90, FREMM, GCAP and Eurodrone. In 2024, it recorded new orders worth €20.9 billion, an order book of €44.2 billion and revenues of €17.8 billion. Adani Defence and Aerospace, part of Adani Enterprises Ltd, is India’s largest integrated private defence and aerospace company, focused on indigenous design, manufacturing, sustainment, MRO and training across land, air and sea platforms, aligned with long term national security goals.
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