- Nagpur to be home to the state’s first helicopter manufacturing unit
- Production starts in 2026
- 8,000 crore investment over 8 years
- 2,000+ jobs to be created
- Centre of Excellence for rotary-wing platforms
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 13 June 2025. Maharashtra is all set to take a giant leap in defence manufacturing! The state government has signed an MoU with Max Aerospace to establish a helicopter manufacturing facility in Nagpur by 2026. With creation of 2,000+ jobs and a Centre of Excellence in the works, this project will make Maharashtra a true aerospace hub! In a major step toward bolstering India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and advancing the goals of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Maharashtra government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Max Aerospace and Aviation Pvt Ltd. The agreement will see the establishment of a state-of-the-art helicopter manufacturing facility in Nagpur, backed by an investment of ₹8,000 crore over the next eight years.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who hailed the project as a transformative milestone for the state’s industrial landscape, especially in the defence and aerospace sectors. The proposed factory, set to begin operations in 2026, will be the first of its kind in Maharashtra dedicated to the complete customization and production of rotary-wing platforms.
According to the statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the facility is expected to generate approximately 2,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. It will function as a Centre of Excellence for helicopter customization, integration, and flight testing, while also serving as a critical node in India’s expanding aerospace supply chain. “The project will incorporate world-class technology and act as a Centre of Excellence for customisation, integration and flight testing of rotary-wing platforms. The centre will be located near the Nagpur airport, leveraging existing infrastructure and logistical support. It will also contribute to India’s growing aerospace supply chain,” .
Strategically located near Nagpur Airport, the plant will leverage the region’s robust logistics infrastructure and established ecosystem for defence manufacturing. CM Fadnavis reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to extending all necessary support to Max Aerospace, ensuring the timely execution of the project. The initiative marks a significant leap for Maharashtra in its bid to become a key player in India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing domains. With Max Aerospace anchoring this pioneering venture, the project is set to contribute meaningfully to national self-reliance in high-technology defence platforms and catalyse regional industrial development.
“Max AeroSpace and Aviation chose Maharashtra for its conducive environment for defense production and the state’s commitment to providing necessary facilities,” said Bharat Malkani, Chairman of Max AeroSpace & Aviation.
Maharashtra plays a significant role in India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. The industrycontributes approximately 1.7% to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), underlining its strategic and economic importance. At the national level, Maharashtra accounts for 30% of India’s total output in weapons and ammunition, and contributes 21% to the production of aircraft, ships, boats, and related equipment.
Nagpur is a critical hub, hosting global and domestic giants such as Boeing, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Solar Industries, and BrahMos Aerospace. The city is also home to the Dhirubhai Ambani Aerospace Park at MIHAN, a dedicated defence cell in Vidarbha and the Indian Air Force’s Maintenance Command.
Recognising the sector’s potential, Maharashtra introduced a dedicated Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Policy in 2018. The policy aims to position the state as a preferred investment destination for aerospace and defence industries, leveraging its robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and industrial ecosystem.
Max Aerospace, a Mumbai based aviation company leading name in India’s MRO sector, holds an impressive array of certifications and approvals, underscoring its commitment to the highest standards of quality, safety, and reliability. The company’s comprehensive list of certifications includes approvals from major international and domestic regulatory bodies such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India, and the Department of Transportation (DOT). These certifications reflect Max Aerospace’s adherence to stringent regulatory requirements and its ability to meet the rigorous demands of global aviation standards. In addition to these essential aviation certifications, Max Aerospace is also accredited with the AS 9000 certification, a quality management standard specifically designed for the aerospace industry. This certification highlights the company’s dedication to maintaining a robust quality management system that ensures consistent, high-quality service delivery across all aspects of its operations.
