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- Nagpur to Global Skies: Adani Defence Expands MRO Network with Indamer Buyout
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 11 August 2025. Adani Defence & Aerospace’s acquisition strategy in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) space reflects a calculated effort to build an integrated, large-scale aviation services platform capable of serving both commercial and defence markets. Following its acquisition of Air Works—India’s oldest and one of its most respected MRO companies—Adani has now taken full control of Indamer Technics Pvt. Ltd. (ITPL) through a partnership with Prime Aero. This latest deal, executed via Horizon Aero Solutions, consolidates Adani’s position as the country’s largest private-sector MRO network. The move aligns with the company’s broader vision of creating a self-reliant, globally competitive MRO ecosystem in India, strategically positioned to capture growing domestic demand as well as attract international business.
It has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% stake in Indamer Technics Private Limited (ITPL), India’s pioneering private-sector MRO provider. Horizon is a 50-50 partnership between ADSTL and Prime Aero, a company owned by Prajay Patel, the director of Indamer Technics. “The Indian aviation sector has undergone remarkable growth, now ranking as the third largest in the world by passenger traffic,” said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airports. “With Indian carriers poised to add over 1,500 aircraft in the coming years, we are entering a transformative phase. This acquisition is a pivotal step in our mission to position India as a premier global MRO hub. It reinforces our vision of creating an integrated aviation services ecosystem built on world-class quality, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. Our commitment remains to play a defining role in shaping the future of India’s skies.”
Located strategically in Nagpur’s MIHAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Indamer Technics Pvt. Ltd. (ITPL) operates a cutting-edge greenfield facility spread across 30 acres. Built to international standards, the facility features 15 aircraft bays within 10 hangars and holds approvals from the DGCA, FAA (USA), and other leading global aviation regulators. ITPL delivers a full spectrum of MRO services, including Lease Return Checks, Heavy C-Checks, Structural Repairs, and Aircraft Painting, catering to a diverse portfolio of leading Indian and international airline customers.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Adani Defence & Aerospace to take Indamer Technics to greater heights,” said Prajay Patel, Director of Indamer Technics and Prime Aero. “This partnership unites our engineering heritage with Adani’s robust infrastructure and investment strength. Together, we aim to establish a world-class MRO ecosystem from India, delivering exceptional value to customers and stakeholders worldwide.”
The acquisition of successful and established MROs such as Air Works and Indamer Technics not only expands Adani’s technical capabilities and geographic footprint but also unlocks operational synergies. ITPL’s state-of-the-art Nagpur facility in the MIHAN SEZ, approved by DGCA, FAA, and other global regulators, complements Air Works’ extensive service network, enabling a pan-India presence and capacity to handle a broad range of aircraft maintenance requirements. Together, these acquisitions equip Adani with the scale, infrastructure, and engineering expertise to position India as a preferred global MRO destination at a time when the country is set to induct over 1,500 aircraft in the coming years. This strategic consolidation strengthens India’s aviation infrastructure while aligning with the government’s Make in India and self-reliance objectives.
“This acquisition is another significant milestone in our pursuit to provide comprehensive MRO solutions for both commercial and defence aviation,” said Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO, Adani Defence & Aerospace. “Following the addition of Air Works to our portfolio, this move further expands our capabilities and cements our position as India’s largest private-sector MRO player. Nagpur’s central location enhances our operational reach, enabling a strong pan-India presence and the capacity to scale. The combined strengths of ITPL and Air Works will generate powerful synergies, delivering greater value to stakeholders through integrated solutions and operational excellence.”
Growth in India’s aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector is vital for several economic, strategic, and operational reasons. India’s airlines have traditionally depended on overseas MRO facilities in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, leading to high foreign exchange outflows—estimated at over USD 1.5–2 billion annually. Strengthening the domestic MRO industry helps retain this spending within the country, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) vision while making aircraft maintenance more cost-effective for Indian carriers. With Indian carriers projected to induct more than 1,500 new aircraft over the next decade, demand for MRO services will surge. Expanding local capacity ensures that this growing fleet can be serviced without bottlenecks, minimising downtime, reducing ferry costs, and improving operational availability.
A robust MRO ecosystem enhances national security by ensuring that both civil and defence aircraft can be serviced domestically, reducing dependency on foreign facilities during times of geopolitical tension. This capability is critical for defence readiness and for safeguarding the country’s strategic aviation assets. The MRO sector is highly labour-intensive and requires skilled engineers, technicians, and support staff. Expanding the sector will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while encouraging the development of specialised training and certification programmes in line with global aviation standards. India’s geographical location—situated between key East–West aviation corridors—offers a natural advantage to serve not just domestic airlines but also carriers from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. With competitive costs and improved infrastructure, India can position itself as a preferred MRO destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
A thriving MRO industry strengthens the broader aviation value chain, benefiting aircraft leasing companies, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), training providers, and airport operators. It also aligns with the Make in India initiative by encouraging local manufacturing of parts, components, and maintenance equipment.
The Government of India should prioritise the growth of the domestic Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector as a core pillar of its aviation strategy. With the country’s airline fleet expected to grow by over 1,500 aircraft in the next decade, reliance on overseas MRO facilities risks continued foreign exchange outflows of USD 1.5–2 billion annually, longer turnaround times, and operational inefficiencies. A strong domestic MRO ecosystem will not only reduce costs for carriers but also enhance strategic self-reliance, safeguard national security, and create thousands of skilled jobs. Leveraging India’s geographic advantage on key East–West air corridors, the policy should focus on infrastructure expansion in SEZs, tax rationalisation, ease of regulatory approvals, and incentives for technology transfer. This will position India as a regional MRO hub, attracting international business and integrating with Make in India objectives to strengthen the entire aviation value chain.
The expansion of India’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector is emerging as a significant driver of economic growth, industrial capability, and strategic self-reliance. As domestic airlines expand their fleets and global carriers look for cost-effective, high-quality maintenance hubs, Indian MROs are capturing a larger share of the regional market. This growth reduces the country’s dependency on overseas facilities, retaining billions of dollars in foreign exchange that would otherwise be spent abroad. It also stimulates ancillary industries such as component manufacturing, tooling, logistics, and training, thereby creating thousands of skilled jobs. The clustering of advanced MRO facilities in strategic locations—often within Special Economic Zones—enhances India’s position as a regional aviation hub, attracting foreign investment and fostering technology transfer. In turn, this strengthens the broader aviation ecosystem, supports Make in India objectives, and positions the country as a competitive player in the global aerospace value chain.
