Adani Defence & Aerospace, the defence and aerospace arm of Adani Enterprises Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Leonardo, a global company in defence, aerospace and security, to build a fully integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The partnership is aimed at supporting rising military requirements and strengthening domestic capabilities in helicopter production.
The collaboration will focus on meeting the operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces, with an emphasis on Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters. The programme will include phased indigenisation of manufacturing, creation of strong maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure, and establishment of pilot training capabilities.
By combining Leonardo’s helicopter design and engineering expertise with Adani Defence & Aerospace’s industrial and defence manufacturing capabilities, the initiative is expected to contribute to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and enhance defence preparedness. The scope may also be extended to civil aviation requirements and integration into global supply chains. The partnership is expected to generate significant economic value through the creation of high-skill employment across engineering, manufacturing, logistics and long-term sustainment services, while supporting India’s positioning as a competitive hub for helicopter production.
Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Defence & Aerospace, said the partnership marks an important step towards building a strong and future-ready helicopter ecosystem in India, combining global capability with domestic industrial strength to create long-term value and skilled employment.
Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO, Adani Defence & Aerospace, said the collaboration supports the goal of sovereign manufacturing at a time when the Indian Armed Forces are projected to require more than 1,000 helicopters in the next decade. He added that the initiative will speed up indigenisation, reinforce supply chains and strengthen India’s potential as a world-class manufacturing base.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters, said Leonardo is pleased to work with Adani in support of India’s rotorcraft ambitions, adding that the partnership would help the country access modern technology and operational capability while drawing on the complementary strengths of both organisations.
Adani Defence & Aerospace, part of the Adani Group, is India’s largest integrated private defence and aerospace company, working across land, air and sea capabilities. The company is involved in the design, development, manufacturing and sustainment of defence and aerospace platforms, including airborne surveillance and AEW&C systems, unmanned systems, arms and ammunition, electronic warfare and avionics, and advanced munition solutions. It continues to expand domestic capability through lifecycle sustainment, MRO and aviation training, supported by collaborations with global partners, start-ups and MSMEs, aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Leonardo is a global industrial group and one of the major international players in Aerospace, Defence and Security (AD&S). With around 60,000 employees worldwide, the company operates across helicopters, electronics, aeronautics, cyber & security and space, and is a partner in key international programmes including Eurofighter, JSF, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP and Eurodrone.
Leonardo has production capabilities across Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the United States and operates through subsidiaries, joint ventures and shareholdings that include Leonardo DRS, MBDA, ATR, Hensoldt, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space and Avio. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), Leonardo reported new orders of €20.9 billion in 2024, with an order book of €44.2 billion and consolidated revenues of €17.8 billion. The company is part of the MIB ESG index and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices since 2010.
