Adani Defence to Manufacture Helicopters in India: From Planes to Advanced Rotary Aircraft

New Delhi: Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, is making significant strides in India’s defence manufacturing sector. Its subsidiary, Adani Defence & Aerospace, has signed a landmark agreement with Italy’s aerospace giant Leonardo to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for manufacturing advanced helicopters in India. This follows the company’s earlier plans to produce airplanes domestically.

Boosting ‘Make in India’ in Aerospace

The partnership aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence aviation under the government’s Make in India initiative. The collaboration will set up an end-to-end ecosystem in India for the production, maintenance, and training related to advanced helicopters. This initiative is expected to meet the Indian Armed Forces’ helicopter requirements while developing a robust domestic aerospace manufacturing base. The agreement was formalized during a meeting in Delhi.

Helicopter Models to be Manufactured

The agreement specifically focuses on manufacturing AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters for the Indian Armed Forces. Initially, components of these helicopters will be produced in India, alongside Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. Pilot training programs will also be conducted locally, ensuring complete operational readiness.

Currently, helicopter usage in India is limited, with fewer than one helicopter per 250 people. Estimates suggest that India will need approximately 100 helicopters per year over the next decade.

Building a Complete Aviation Ecosystem

Director Jeet Adani said, “We are creating an aviation ecosystem that will serve both civil and defence needs. Our partnership with Leonardo is not just about knowledge exchange—it is about building a shared system in India for helicopter manufacturing, assembly, training, and global support.”

Leonardo’s Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo added, “India represents a huge market, and the armed forces’ requirement for helicopters is steadily increasing. This partnership will ensure a strong domestic capability for helicopter production.”

Meeting India’s Defence Requirements

CEO Ashish Rajwanshi highlighted that the Indian Armed Forces may require more than 1,000 helicopters over the next ten years. This collaboration is expected to turn the vision of domestic helicopter production into reality. Leonardo, a globally recognized company in aerospace, defence, and security, brings its extensive expertise to the joint venture.

With this partnership, Adani Defence & Aerospace is poised to transform India’s aerospace landscape, supporting national defence and strengthening the country’s manufacturing capabilities in high-tech aviation.