India’s helicopter ambitions took a step forward as Adani Defence & Aerospace and Italy’s Leonardo agreed to jointly build a localized manufacturing and sustainment ecosystem aimed at future military demand.
Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding, the two companies plan to develop, manufacture, and support helicopters in India, with an initial focus on Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM platforms for the Indian Armed Forces.
The partnership is structured around phased indigenization, covering assembly, maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as pilot training, according to the companies.
Localized manufacturing activities are expected to support both military and potential civil helicopter requirements, while also feeding into Leonardo’s global supply chain.
Adani Defence said the collaboration aligns with India’s push for defense self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, as military planners project demand for more than 1,000 helicopters over the next decade.
“It will accelerate indigenization, strengthen supply chains, and establish India as a world-class production base,” Adani Defence & Aerospace CEO Ashish Rajvanshi said.
Expanding Helicopter Production in India
The Adani-Leonardo agreement follows several high-profile efforts over the past decade to expand helicopter manufacturing and assembly inside India.
In 2016, Boeing partnered with Tata Advanced Systems to establish an Apache fuselage production line in Hyderabad, supplying structures for AH-64 attack helicopters delivered to the United States and other customers.
By 2023, Tata Boeing Aerospace had delivered hundreds of fuselages, making India a key node in the Apache global supply chain.
State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has also advanced indigenous rotorcraft programs in recent years. The government procured the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand in 2022. This was followed by progress on light utility helicopters.
Airbus Helicopters also deepened its industrial footprint in India through supplier partnerships for the H125 helicopter family, while continuing discussions on potential assembly and support activities.
