New Delhi: Adani Defence & Aerospace has entered into a strategic partnership with global aerospace major Leonardo to develop a comprehensive helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s defence self-reliance.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to address the growing requirements of the Indian Armed Forces while positioning India as a future hub for helicopter manufacturing, sustainment and exports.
Under the partnership, the focus will be on Leonardo’s advanced AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters, with a phased plan for indigenisation. The programme will include local manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, along with pilot training infrastructure in India.
By combining Leonardo’s global expertise in helicopter design and engineering with Adani Defence’s end-to-end capabilities across defence manufacturing and sustainment, the initiative aligns closely with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The ecosystem is also expected to support civil helicopter demand in the future and integrate Indian suppliers into international supply chains.
According to industry estimates, the Indian Armed Forces may require over 1,000 helicopters over the next decade, creating long-term opportunities across manufacturing, components, logistics and services. The project is expected to generate thousands of high-skill jobs in engineering, production and aerospace services.
Jeet Adani, Director at Adani Defence & Aerospace, said the partnership represents a decisive move toward building a resilient and future-ready helicopter ecosystem in India, while contributing to employment generation and industrial capability development.
Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo highlighted that the collaboration would help India access modern helicopter technologies and operational capabilities, while strengthening the domestic rotorcraft industry.
With this partnership, Adani Defence & Aerospace continues to expand its footprint in India’s defence and aerospace sector, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a globally competitive manufacturing base.
Investor Perspective
For investors, the development strengthens Adani Enterprises’ long-term defence and aerospace growth narrative. The helicopter ecosystem initiative offers multi-year revenue visibility, exposure to defence capital expenditure, and potential value creation through localisation, exports and aftermarket services. Market participants will closely track execution milestones, order inflows from defence forces, and expansion into civil aviation segments.