Mahindra and Airbus Team Up to Enhance 'Make in India' Initiative: Civil Aviation Minister
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Synopsis
The collaboration between Airbus and Mahindra Aerostructures represents a key advancement in India's aviation manufacturing, significantly reinforcing the government's 'Make in India' initiative. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted the growth in India's aviation sector and the increasing global confidence in its manufacturing capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- Airbus and Mahindra Aerostructures' partnership boosts 'Make in India'
- India's aviation manufacturing sector aims to reach $4 billion
- Over 200 MSMEs contribute to the aviation ecosystem
- H130 helicopter fuselage to be built locally
- Collaboration emphasizes growth in aerospace manufacturing
New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) The alliance between Airbus and Mahindra Aerostructures signifies a pivotal development in India's aviation manufacturing sector, providing a substantial boost to the government's 'Make in India' initiative, stated Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Wednesday.
Describing it as a remarkable collaboration, the minister informed IANS that the union of Airbus and Mahindra will fortify India’s status in the global aviation manufacturing arena.
“This is a groundbreaking collaboration for India’s aviation industry. It symbolizes the increasing worldwide confidence in India’s capabilities as a manufacturing hub,” he remarked.
“Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is wholeheartedly dedicated to advancing aviation manufacturing in our country, and the ministry is providing complete support to crucial participants in this domain,” the Minister conveyed to IANS.
The Minister also emphasized that India’s aviation manufacturing sector, currently estimated at $2 billion, aims to expand to $4 billion shortly.
He noted that over 200 MSMEs and startups are already contributing to the ecosystem, producing various components for aircraft and helicopters.
“Currently, every aircraft or helicopter produced by Airbus contains at least one component manufactured in India. These are the foundational elements towards our long-term ambition of producing complete aircraft within India,” he stated.
The minister's remarks were made following Mahindra Aerostructures, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, securing a substantial contract from Airbus Helicopters to manufacture and assemble the primary fuselage of the H130 light single-engine helicopter.
The fuselage will be constructed at Mahindra’s local facility and sent to Airbus Helicopters’ plant in Europe, with the initial delivery anticipated by March 2027.
The H130 is extensively utilized for tourism, private and business transportation, medical airlift, and surveillance operations.
Its spacious cabin can accommodate up to seven passengers and a pilot, making it a versatile and highly sought-after model globally.
Mahindra Group CEO and MD, Anish Shah, deemed the agreement a significant advancement in Mahindra’s aerospace journey.
“This collaboration emphasizes our dedication to bolstering the Government of India’s flagship 'Make in India' program. We take pride in progressing from producing sub-assemblies to manufacturing larger, more intricate aerostructures,” he stated.
