Adani Defence & Aerospace and the Italian aerospace leader Leonardo signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a comprehensive helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India.
This partnership is a cornerstone of India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative, aiming to transform the country from an importer to a global hub for rotorcraft production and sustainment.
Strategic Objectives & Target Platforms
The alliance is specifically designed to meet the Indian Armed Forces’ projected demand for over 1,000 helicopters in the coming decade.
- Primary Models: The collaboration focuses on the licensed production and indigenization of Leonardo’s advanced AW169M (light-intermediate twin) and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters.
- Military & Civil Utility: While initially targeting military requirements—such as light utility, maritime multi-role, and scout operations—the ecosystem is designed to scale into the civil aviation market (emergency medical services, disaster relief, and regional connectivity).
- Integrated Capabilities: The partnership covers the entire lifecycle, including manufacturing, assembly, pilot training, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services.
Key Pillars of the Partnership
| Feature | Details |
| Phased Indigenization | Progressive localization of components and sub-assemblies to ensure sovereign manufacturing capability. |
| MRO Infrastructure | Establishment of a domestic sustainment hub to ensure high fleet availability and lifecycle support. |
| Supply Chain Integration | Integration of Indian suppliers into Leonardo’s global supply chain, opening international export opportunities. |
| Economic Impact | Expected to create thousands of high-skill jobs in engineering, precision manufacturing, and logistics. |
The “Aviation Cluster” Context
The Leonardo deal is the second major aerospace announcement from the Adani Group in early 2026, following a strategic collaboration with Embraer (announced in late January) to build a regional transport aircraft facility in India. Together, these moves position Adani Defence & Aerospace as a “national champion” across both fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms.
“With a projected requirement of more than 1,000 helicopters by the Indian armed forces over the next decade, this partnership realizes our vision for sovereign manufacturing. It will accelerate indigenization, strengthen supply chains, and establish India as a world-class production base.” — Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO, Adani Defence & Aerospace.
