In a significant boost to India’s defence manufacturing ambitions, Adani Defence & Aerospace on Monday announced a strategic partnership with Leonardo to build a fully integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to develop, manufacture and sustain military helicopters in the country, positioning India as a future global hub for rotorcraft production. The initiative is designed to address rising operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces, while advancing the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence and aerospace.
According to the companies, the partnership will focus initially on meeting Indian military requirements for Leonardo’s advanced AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters. The programme envisages phased indigenisation, establishment of comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and pilot training capabilities within India. Over time, the ecosystem is expected to expand to support civil helicopter demand and integrate into global supply chains.
By combining Leonardo’s helicopter design and engineering expertise with Adani Defence’s manufacturing, sustainment and defence-industrial capabilities, the project seeks to create a robust, localised helicopter production base. Officials said the initiative would not only enhance defence readiness but also create thousands of high-skill jobs across engineering, manufacturing, logistics and sustainment services.
Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Defence & Aerospace, described the partnership as a pivotal step toward building a resilient and future-ready helicopter ecosystem. He said the collaboration would merge global technological excellence with India’s industrial momentum to deliver long-term value, skilled employment and strategic self-reliance in aerospace.
Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, noted that the Indian Armed Forces are projected to require more than 1,000 helicopters over the next decade. He said the partnership would accelerate indigenisation, strengthen domestic supply chains and establish India as a world-class helicopter manufacturing base.
Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo said the company was pleased to support India’s ambition of strengthening its rotorcraft industry. He emphasised that the collaboration would enable India to access modern helicopter technologies and operational capabilities by leveraging the complementary strengths of both partners.
The announcement marks a major milestone in India’s evolving aerospace landscape, reinforcing defence autonomy while laying the foundation for India to emerge as a trusted global centre for helicopter manufacturing and sustainment.
Adani Defence & Aerospace is part of Adani Enterprises Ltd, the flagship company of the Adani Group, while Leonardo is among the world’s leading aerospace, defence and security companies with a presence across Europe and the United States.
