Adani Defence & Aerospace and Leonardo Join Hands to Build Integrated Helicopter Manufacturing Base in India!

Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Leonardo to establish a fully integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in India’s defence manufacturing journey and is aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities in rotary-wing aircraft production while supporting the country’s long-term military and strategic requirements.

The partnership is designed to address the growing operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces, which are projected to require more than 1,000 helicopters over the next decade across various roles. As part of the MoU, the two companies will focus initially on Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters, platforms known for their versatility, performance and suitability for military operations. These helicopters are expected to serve a wide range of missions, including utility, reconnaissance, logistics support and light transport.

A key feature of the collaboration is its emphasis on phased indigenisation. Manufacturing activities are planned to progress gradually from assembly to higher levels of local production, enabling the development of a strong domestic supply chain. This approach is intended to reduce dependence on imports,