Airbus expands ‘Make in India’ Strategy, inks contracts with Tata and Mahindra for aircraft components
On Thursday, Airbus announced the signing of contracts with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Mahindra Aerospace Structures Private Limited (MASPL) for the procurement of commercial aircraft components. Under these agreements, TASL and Mahindra Aerostructures will be responsible for manufacturing metallic detail parts, components, and assemblies for Airbus’ A320neo, A330neo, and A350 programmes.
Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, emphasized the company’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, positioning it at the forefront of their strategy in the country. He highlighted Airbus’s ambition to support the growth of the Indian commercial fleet and nurture the complete aerospace ecosystem by developing and strengthening manufacturing and engineering capabilities with Indian partners.
Tata Advanced Systems and Mahindra Aerostructures are already integral contributors to Airbus’ aircraft programmes, and the latest contracts signify an expansion of cooperation with these companies.
India holds strategic importance for Airbus as a resource hub, where the company is actively expanding its industrial footprint. This includes aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering design and development, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training, as well as academic collaboration to foster human capital.
Currently, every Airbus commercial aircraft incorporates components and technologies manufactured in India, such as the A220 Escape Hatch Door and the Flap Track Beams for the A320neo and A330neo aircraft. The company’s annual procurement of components and services from India amounts to approximately USD 750 million, and the newly signed contracts are expected to significantly contribute to this figure.
As part of Airbus’s broader efforts to mature the Indian aerospace ecosystem, the company is establishing a Final Assembly Line for the C295 military aircraft in Vadodara under an industrial contract with TASL. Airbus is also actively involved in training commercial pilots and maintenance crews in India.