India’s push to expand its military helicopter capabilities gained momentum as Adani Defence & Aerospace and Italy’s Leonardo agreed to jointly establish a localized manufacturing and sustainment ecosystem tailored to future defense requirements.
Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding, the partners will collaborate to develop, manufacture, and support helicopters in India, initially focusing on Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM platforms for the Indian Armed Forces.
The partnership envisions a phased indigenization roadmap, covering final assembly, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), as well as pilot training. Localized production is expected to serve both military and potential civil helicopter needs, while also contributing components and capabilities to Leonardo’s global supply chain.
Adani Defence said the collaboration supports India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, as defense planners anticipate a requirement for more than 1,000 helicopters over the next decade.
The agreement builds on a decade-long effort to expand helicopter production in India. In 2016, Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems launched an Apache fuselage production line in Hyderabad, supplying structures for AH-64 helicopters worldwide. By 2023, Tata Boeing Aerospace had delivered hundreds of fuselages, cementing India’s role in the Apache global supply chain.
Meanwhile, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has advanced indigenous rotorcraft programs, including the induction of the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand in 2022 and continued development of light utility helicopters. Airbus Helicopters has also expanded its industrial presence through supplier partnerships for the H125 family, alongside discussions on future assembly and support activities.
