Adani & Leonardo Sign MoU to Build Military Choppers in India
Adani & Leonardo Sign MoU to Build Military Choppers in India
Adani Defence and Leonardo team up to establish a helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India, targeting indigenisation, MRO, and pilot training for armed forces.
NEW DELHI — In a move aimed at boosting India’s defence self-reliance, Adani Defence & Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy’s Leonardo to set up a comprehensive helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The collaboration focuses on meeting the growing needs of the Indian military and building local capabilities across design, production, and support services.
The partnership targets Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters, with phased indigenisation, robust maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and extensive pilot training as core components. The agreement signals a broader push to expand domestic manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework and could pave the way for potential civil aviation applications and broader international supply chain integration.
The MoU was signed in New Delhi with the defence secretary and the DG (acquisition) present, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening national defence readiness. This initiative follows India’s earlier efforts to recalibrate defence ties with Leonardo, including the company’s past designation from a suspended list and subsequent steps toward renewed collaboration.
Experts note that the alliance could complement other recent moves, such as Adani’s collaboration with Embraer to manufacture aircraft in India. If successful, the program could deliver long-term benefits in local manufacturing, job creation, and technology transfer, while enhancing strategic autonomy for India’s armed forces.
As the Indian defence landscape evolves, the Adani-Leonardo partnership is being watched as a potential turning point in building a robust, domestically supported helicopter ecosystem that could extend beyond military use and contribute to broader aerospace capabilities.
