Airbus has awarded Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. (MASPL) a contract to manufacture fuselage skins for the Airbus A320neo aircraft, further expanding the partnership between the two companies and strengthening India’s role in the global aerospace manufacturing supply chain.
Under the agreement, Mahindra Aerostructures will manufacture the A320neo fuselage skin components at its aerospace manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. The contract adds a more advanced aerostructure programme to Mahindra Aerostructures’ existing portfolio of components, sub-assemblies and complex aerospace structures supplied to Airbus.
The latest contract marks another step in the evolution of Mahindra Aerostructures’ relationship with Airbus. The company has already been supplying various components and sub-assemblies for Airbus’ commercial aircraft programmes, while its partnership with Airbus Helicopters has also expanded into the manufacture of complete main fuselage assemblies for the H130 and H125 helicopters.
The A320neo programme is significant for the global aviation industry, with the aircraft forming a major part of Airbus’ narrow-body commercial aircraft family. The new manufacturing assignment is expected to provide Mahindra Aerostructures with an opportunity to further strengthen its capabilities in the production of high-precision aerostructures for commercial aircraft.
The development also comes against the backdrop of Airbus’ increasing engagement with Indian aerospace suppliers. Airbus has been expanding its sourcing and manufacturing ecosystem in India across areas including components, aerostructures, engineering and aircraft assembly, supporting the country’s ambitions to become a larger hub for global aerospace manufacturing.
For Mahindra Aerostructures, the latest programme adds to its growing portfolio of work for one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers. The company’s Bengaluru facility has been developing capabilities to undertake increasingly complex aerospace manufacturing programmes, including fuselage manufacturing for Airbus helicopters.
The partnership is also aligned with the broader Make in India objective of increasing domestic participation in global aerospace supply chains. Airbus has previously highlighted India’s growing industrial capabilities and the competitiveness of its aerospace supply chain while announcing its earlier fuselage manufacturing partnerships with Mahindra Aerostructures.
