Adani Enterprises and Leonardo Form Helicopter Partnership in India

Adani Defence & Aerospace, a division of Adani Enterprises Ltd, has announced a strategic partnership with Leonardo to develop a helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The partnership aims to address the increasing demand for helicopters and new military requirements, positioning India as a future hub for helicopter production. This collaboration will focus on the development, manufacturing, and sustainment of helicopters, specifically targeting the needs of the Indian Armed Forces.

The financial terms of the partnership have not been disclosed in the filing. However, the collaboration is expected to involve significant investment in infrastructure and technology to support the development of a comprehensive helicopter ecosystem in India. The partnership will leverage Leonardo’s expertise in helicopter design and engineering, combined with Adani Defence’s capabilities in defence and aerospace, to advance the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The scope of the partnership includes the phased indigenization of helicopter production, robust maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and comprehensive pilot training. The collaboration will focus on delivering advanced helicopters such as the AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. Additionally, the partnership aims to extend its reach to civil aviation applications and integrate into the international supply chain.

The partnership is set to create thousands of high-skill jobs in engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and sustainment services. It aims to establish India as a competitive hub for helicopter production, aligning with the country’s vision for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The initiative is expected to strengthen national defence readiness and support the growth of India’s aerospace industry.

The timeline for the implementation of the partnership and specific milestones have not been detailed in the filing. However, the collaboration is positioned as a long-term initiative to build a resilient helicopter ecosystem in India, with a focus on meeting the projected demand for over 1000 helicopters by the Indian Armed Forces in the coming decade.

Leonardo is a global leader in aerospace, defence, and security, with significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. The company is involved in major international programs and has a strong presence in the helicopter sector. Leonardo’s collaboration with Adani Defence & Aerospace aims to contribute to India’s vision for a stronger rotorcraft industry.

Adani Enterprises Ltd is the flagship company of the Adani Group, focusing on building emerging infrastructure businesses. The company has successfully developed scalable businesses in various sectors, including ports, energy, and green initiatives. Adani Enterprises is committed to contributing to India’s self-reliance and long-term capability development in the defence and aerospace sectors.