• Czech Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček inaugurates the new line as GAIPL advances its aerospace and defence manufacturing ambitions; five MoUs span UAVs, fire safety, advanced coatings, and unmanned traffic management.

BENGALURU, INDIA, 15 OCTOBER 2026: Gopalan Aerospace India Private Limited (GAIPL), part of Gopalan Enterprises, today launched a new production line at its Hoskote facility in Bengaluru, strengthening its capacity to pursue higher-value manufacturing programmes across the aerospace, defence, and space sectors. The launch took place in the presence of H.E. Karel Havlíček, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and Mr. C. Prabhakar, Director, Gopalan Enterprises.

The occasion also witnessed the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Gopalan and Czech partners, covering five areas of potential collaboration: fire-extinguishing solutions; unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including fixed-wing drones, quadcopters and related systems; thermoreflective coating technology; unmanned traffic management systems; and jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles. The agreements establish a basis for exploring complementary technologies, industrial cooperation and potential manufacturing opportunities across aerospace, defence and advanced engineering.

The production-line launch and the agreements underscore GAIPL’s ambition to build on its existing manufacturing base, expand its technological capabilities and strengthen its participation in increasingly complex programmes and global aerospace supply chains.

An Integrated Aerospace Manufacturing Platform
GAIPL has invested approximately US$40 million in its 10.5-acre Hoskote facility, which houses more than 150,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing infrastructure. Its capabilities span precision CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, advanced composites, aerostructures, and complex assemblies, supported by Build-to-Print and Build-to-Spec solutions.

Certified to AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015, with Nadcap accreditations for composites and welding, GAIPL serves a customer and programme ecosystem that includes HAL, IAI, L&T, DRDO, TASL, ISRO, NAL, Expleo and ECIL, as well as the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

The new production line strengthens the company’s ability to support more complex, higher-value aerospace, defence, and space programmes.

C. Prabhakar, Director, Gopalan Enterprises, said: “India’s aerospace and defence ambitions demand more than manufacturing capacity – they require the ability to engineer and deliver increasingly complex systems to global standards. At Gopalan Aerospace, our strength lies in integrating precision machining, advanced composites, aerostructures, and complex assemblies, with the flexibility to deliver both Build-to-Print and Build-to-Spec solutions. Our investment in Hoskote strengthens this platform and our ambition to move up the value chain – from manufacturing supplier to strategic capability partner for global aerospace and defence companies. As India expands its role in global supply chains, we aim to help shape what the country can build and deliver to the world.”

Scaling Growth, Expanding Global Reach
GAIPL’s aerospace business generates approximately US$20 million in annual revenue, with a target of 50% year-on-year growth over the next three to five years. At planned capacity, the Hoskote facility is projected to generate approximately US$50 million in annual revenue.

The company’s growth strategy centres on expanding manufacturing capabilities, taking on higher-value programmes, deepening partnerships with global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and pursuing export opportunities.

India–Czech Engagement Opens New Technology Pathways
The five MoUs create a framework for Gopalan to explore collaboration with Czech companies across specialised technologies, including UAV platforms and associated systems, fire safety, advanced coatings, and unmanned traffic management. The areas covered reflect complementary capabilities that could support future industrial and technology partnerships.

GAIPL has also been engaging with international technology companies to explore potential collaboration in UAV and drone technologies, technology transfer, joint development, and manufacturing. The company has been working on indigenous loitering munition UAV systems over the past three years, reflecting its focus on developing domestic defence technology and manufacturing capabilities.

The specific scope, commitments, and expected outcomes of the MoUs will depend on agreed terms and subsequent discussions between the participating companies. Further details will be shared when approved for public disclosure.

The engagement comes as India seeks to deepen domestic manufacturing, strengthen aerospace, defence supply chains, and expand the role of Indian companies in global programmes. For GAIPL, the priorities ahead are to build on its integrated manufacturing platform, develop higher-value capabilities and create new opportunities through customer partnerships and international collaboration.