In a landmark event, Minister for Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, today chaired the signing ceremony for the H130 helicopter fuselage manufacturing contract between Airbus and Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. The event, held at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, was graced by the presence of Secretary Civil Aviation SVumlunmang Vualnam, President & MD of Airbus India & South Asia Remi Maillard, Group CEO & MD of Mahindra Group Dr Anish Shah and senior leadership of the industry partners.
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in India’s aviation journey, further strengthening the global confidence in the country’s industrial potential. The partnership between Mahindra Aerostructures and Airbus underscores India’s progress in the aviation sector and our steadfast commitment to the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his address, Ram Mohan Naidu stated, “I think this contract for the manufacturing and assembly of the H130 helicopter fuselage is a testament to the confidence global players like Airbus have in the potential of Indian industry. Since its inception in 2011, Mahindra Aerostructures has proven that even as a young player in the aerospace industry, it can deliver world-class parts and assemblies for major global players like Airbus. As the Civil Aviation Minister, I am proud of the fact that today every Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopter carries critical technologies and parts designed, made, and maintained in India. And today, we are setting a new benchmark for aircraft component manufacturing. I believe that this has been possible only with the valuable support from Airbus.”
Highlighting India’s rapid aviation growth, the Minister shared:
- India is set to become one of the world’s largest civil aviation markets, with over 2,200 aircraft expected to join the fleet in the next 20 years.
- By 2030, India will handle 630 million passengers annually, growing at a CAGR of 6–8%.
- Over the next 10–15 years, the domestic aerospace manufacturing market can grow to a $10 billion industry, encompassing structural components, avionics systems, and more.
The Minister also acknowledged the exemplary contribution of Indian MSMEs and startups, which supply over $2 billion worth of aircraft components annually to global OEMs like Airbus and Boeing.
The event builds on the momentum from a February 2025 meeting chaired by the minister, focusing on accelerating aircraft component manufacturing in India. Attended by senior officials, industry leaders, and experts, the meeting aimed to chart a unified roadmap for bolstering domestic production and enhancing global competitiveness.
Secretary, MoCA, Vumlunmang Vualnam in his address emphasized how the H130 fuselage contract will not only bring cutting-edge technologies and jobs to India but also catalyze the development of domestic MRO capabilities and a robust manufacturing base.
The two Final Assembly Lines in India; one for the C295 military aircraft, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, and the upcoming H125 helicopter assembly line stand as beacons of India’s thriving aerospace ecosystem and its strategic partnership with global players like Airbus.
