New Delhi [India], February 3 (ANI): Adani Defence & Aerospace and Italian aerospace major Leonardo on Tuesday announced a strategic collaboration to build a helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India, marking what leaders described as a new chapter in defence cooperation between the two countries.
Reflecting on the broader India–Italy partnership underpinning the collaboration, Italy’s Ambassador to India, Antonio Enrico Bartoli, said two global champions of the defence industry were opening a new chapter together. He noted that the relationship is expected to grow stronger over time and highlighted recent high-level engagements between India and the European Union. Bartoli said India is a reliable and long-term partner for Italy in the defence sector, adding that Leonardo is developing cutting-edge technology in the helicopter domain. He also expressed hope for increased Indian investment in Italy and emphasized that the free trade agreement goes beyond commerce to encompass shared values and security.
Linking the strategic cooperation to on-ground manufacturing plans, Adani Defence & Aerospace CEO Ashish Rajvanshi said the company plans to build a helicopter manufacturing ecosystem within India. He described the initiative as a significant step toward Aatmnirbhar Bharat and said the goal is to create South Asia’s premier defence ecosystem, with helicopters manufactured domestically by Indian hands for India’s future.
Reiterating the long-term intent of the partnership, Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Defence & Aerospace, said the collaboration is driven by shared expertise and shared purpose. He said the partners aim to build an ecosystem on Indian soil encompassing manufacturing, training, and world-class support, strengthening confidence in India’s growing helicopter capabilities and contributing to the country’s future.
Placing the collaboration within the government’s broader defence and industrial policy framework, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the memorandum of understanding between Adani Defence and Leonardo represents the coming together of two respected industrial entities. He referred to recent engagements during the Republic Day celebrations, including agreements in the field of security and defence partnerships, and said the next step would be a security and information agreement to enable greater collaboration. Emphasizing the vision of Aatmnirbhar Bharat, he said the objective is not only to reduce import dependence but also to build competitive industrial capability within the country.
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