In a significant boost to India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities, Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. has signed a contract with Airbus to manufacture the fuselage for the H130 helicopter. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, during a high-level ceremony at the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The event was also attended by Secretary Civil Aviation Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam, Airbus India & South Asia President Mr. Remi Maillard, and Mahindra Group CEO Dr. Anish Shah, along with senior industry leaders.
Strengthening Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat
The contract aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, reinforcing the country’s positioning as a preferred destination for global aerospace manufacturing. Highlighting the milestone, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said the H130 helicopter fuselage deal reflects Airbus’s confidence in Indian manufacturing.
“Mahindra Aerostructures, since its inception in 2011, has proved that even as a young player in the aerospace space, it can deliver world-class assemblies. Today, every Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopter has Indian parts or technology,” the Minister noted.
Fast-Growing Aviation Sector and Industry Potential
India is projected to become one of the world’s largest civil aviation markets, with over 2,200 new aircraft expected over the next 20 years. The domestic aviation industry is poised to handle 630 million passengers annually by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6–8%.
The Minister added that India’s aerospace manufacturing market could reach $10 billion in the next 10–15 years, with contributions from structural components, avionics, and more. Indian MSMEs and startups are already supplying over $2 billion worth of components annually to global OEMs like Airbus and Boeing.
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Building on Recent Momentum
The announcement follows a February 2025 stakeholder meeting chaired by the Minister, where senior officials and industry leaders strategized on accelerating India’s aircraft component manufacturing. The contract with Mahindra Aerostructures adds momentum to India’s efforts to build a robust domestic aviation supply chain.
Global Collaboration and Local Growth
Secretary MoCA Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam emphasized that the H130 fuselage contract will not only bring cutting-edge technologies and skilled jobs to India but also promote the development of local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
India’s collaboration with Airbus already includes two major final assembly lines: the C295 military aircraft facility, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, and the upcoming H125 helicopter assembly line. These projects stand as examples of India’s growing strategic partnerships and a thriving aerospace ecosystem.
