Given India’s pivotal role in the company’s long-term plan, Airbus is laying the groundwork for a significant expansion there. Airbus is taking decisive action to increase its presence in India’s expanding aerospace business, from hiring more people and expanding sourcing to creating domestic military programs. Airbus India President Remi Maillard unveiled ambitious plans to grow its local operations in a way that might reshape India’s place in the world of aerospace at the opening of the company’s new India and South Asia Headquarters and Training Centre in New Delhi.
Credits: The Economic Times
Growth in Sourcing and Employment: India as a Global Manufacturing Hub
Airbus plans to quadruple its sourcing from India to reach $2 billion a year in the upcoming years as part of its India ambition. The corporation presently uses India’s expanding manufacturing ecosystem to obtain components and services valued at around 1 billion euros. India’s ambition to become a global manufacturing powerhouse is in line with Airbus’s decision to greatly expand its sourcing, giving it access to a highly skilled workforce and competitive production costs.
Employment will also see a major boost. Currently, Airbus directly employs around 3,500 people in India, but with the expansion, this number is set to surpass 5,000. These new jobs will support both commercial aviation and defense projects, creating opportunities in engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance. By investing in its workforce, Airbus is positioning itself to meet increasing demand for aircraft while supporting India’s economic growth and job creation goals.
New Training Centers and Collaborations with Air India
With a growing fleet in India, Airbus recognizes the need for more skilled pilots and has partnered with Air India to establish a second pilot training center. This facility will complement its existing training centers and meet the training requirements of thousands of pilots annually, who will operate Airbus’s expanding fleet in India. By fostering talent within India, Airbus ensures that its planes are supported by a steady pipeline of skilled professionals trained locally.
In addition, Airbus is developing a new training campus in Bengaluru, designed to accommodate 5,000 employees. This center will focus not only on pilots but also on engineers, technicians, and other aerospace professionals, supporting Airbus’s vision of creating an ecosystem for sustained aviation growth in India.
Localized Defense Production: The C295 and H125 Projects with Tata Group
One of Airbus’s most ambitious initiatives in India is the localization of defense production. In partnership with Tata Group, Airbus has begun producing the C295 military transport aircraft in India. This project marks a significant milestone as the first privately manufactured aircraft in India and will not only serve India’s defense needs but also position the country as a key player in aerospace manufacturing.
Credits: India TV News
Alongside the C295, Airbus and Tata will produce the H125 helicopter, catering to both domestic and international markets. This is part of Airbus’s broader strategy to align with India’s “Make-in-India” initiative, which promotes self-reliance in defense manufacturing. By establishing production lines for critical defense equipment in India, Airbus is enabling India to be more self-sufficient in its defense capabilities and strengthening the strategic relationship between Airbus and the Indian defense sector.
Leading the Charge on Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Airbus is spending money on research to create Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in India in addition to producing airplanes. The goal of this ground-breaking initiative, which is being carried out in partnership with Indian academic institutions, is to construct the first SAF locally. This could significantly lessen the environmental impact of aviation both in India and around the world. Airbus’s dedication to sustainability complements India’s green energy objectives and positions the country as a leader in environmentally friendly aviation solutions.
Conclusion: A Transformational Journey
Airbus is spearheading a revolutionary journey in India with its ambitious intentions, which might have significant effects on the Indian economy and the global aerospace sector. Airbus is playing a key part in India’s aerospace aspirations by increasing sourcing, generating thousands of new jobs, investing in local talent through new training facilities, and pushing the limits of sustainable aviation.
India is positioned to become a major role in the global aircraft industry, not just as a consumer but also as a major hub for manufacturing and defense production thanks to the combined efforts of Airbus and the government-backed “Make-in-India” project. This development is a step toward redefining India’s position in the aerospace industry globally, not only an economic opportunity.
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