Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

 Mahindra Aerospace, the AUD25 million annual turnover Mahindra Group firm that manufactures small aircraft at its Australian facility, opened its first aerostructures manufacturing facility in Kolar taluk near Bangalore on Monday to manufacture components and eventually 8-seater aircraft in about two years.

The commencement of manufacture of aircraft will be subject to requisite approvals by Indian aviation regulator director general of civil aviation (DGCA), according to the member of group executive board of Mahindra & Mahindra, Hemant Luthra.

The company also signed a technology partnership with Spanish aerostructures firm Aernnova that designs and manufactures aircraft components and is an Tier I supplier to Airbus and Beechcraft. The company will also take a 24 per cent stake, or about Rs 48 crore in Mahindra Aerostructures, Luthra added.

The partnership will enable Mahindra Aerospace to undertake components and aerostructure manufacturing that will be outsourced to it by Aernnova. It also entails transfer of technology and training by Aernnova.

According to Inaki Gandasegui, Chairman, Aernnova Group, “This facility has been designed to be world-class, and is an excellent addition to India’s supply chain. We believe it will play a strong role in the regional eco-system and also help address capacity challenges for the OEMs as they ramp up production rates. We are proud to be associated with the Mahindra Group and look forward to a vibrant, mutually beneficial partnership.”

On aircraft manufacturing at the Narsapur facility, Luthra said, “In Australia we are just now seeking certification for the 10-seater aircraft (GA10). When we receive it, we will have the choice of whether we manufacture both 8 and 10 seater aircraft in Australia, or move 8-seater aircraft manufacturing to India. Of course, our first goal is to manufacture the 8-seater aircraft in India.” The GA8 is currently manufactured in its Australian facility and sold in about 32 countries.

Its Australian facility is currently developing GA10, a 10-seater turboprop version of GA8 for launch in 2014.

Business target              Luthra said that the Narsapur facility will starting earning revenues of about Rs 250 crore after four years. The DGCA certification process will take about two years, he said.

Mahindra Aerospace is also in the process of securing FAR23 certification that will pave the way for it to become Tier-I supplier of components and aerostructures to original equipment manufacturers.

Earlier, Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra told reporters that the government’s plan to develop many small airfields will spur the market for small aircraft in India. “We have a two-pronged strategy, to focus on components and aerostructures so that we can firmly become part of the global supply chain in the business and secondly, to build utility (small) aircraft,” he said.