Maharashtra and Max Aerospace to Build ₹8,000 Cr Helicopter Plant in Nagpur
Maharashtra’s government has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Max Aerospace & Aviation Pvt Ltd to establish a helicopter manufacturing facility in Nagpur. The ₹8,000 crore project, spanning approximately 150 acres near Nagpur’s MIHAN airport, will produce light and medium helicopters for both civilian and military applications. Full-scale operations are expected to begin in 2026, with completion slated over the next eight years.
The facility is poised to become one of India’s first private-sector helicopter production plants and a Centre of Excellence for customisation, integration, and flight testing of rotary-wing platforms. It will leverage Nagpur’s robust infrastructure and strategic location as a multimodal logistics hub, offering seamless connectivity via road, rail, and air.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the initiative as transformational for Maharashtra’s aerospace ambitions. He stated the state would provide all necessary support and land allocation through MIHAN’s industrial framework, while Max Aerospace committed to initiating construction by mid-2026. Bharat Malkani, Chairman of Max Aerospace, emphasised the choice of Nagpur due to its conducive policy environment, skilled workforce, and existing aviation ecosystem.
Employment generation is a central feature of the project. The facility is expected to create approximately 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, boosting local incomes and supporting ancillary industries. Experts anticipate the plant will catalyse growth in Maharashtra’s aerospace supply chain and reinforce the government’s goals under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Nagpur already hosts key defence and aerospace players, including HAL’s maintenance command, BrahMos Aerospace, and Yantra India. This investment is likely to attract further industrial activity, reinforcing the city’s role as a strategic manufacturing node.
The initiative also aligns with India’s broader defense manufacturing policy, as the country seeks to reduce reliance on imports and foster indigenous production capabilities. With global partnerships reportedly in negotiation, the Nagpur facility may evolve into a hub for international collaboration and technology transfer in rotary-wing systems.
As Maharashtra moves ahead with this ambitious plan, the state is sending a clear signal: private investment in defence manufacturing can complement public sector capacities, raise technological standards, and drive regional development. The coming months will likely reveal the exact timeline for groundwork and the identities of overseas OEM partners joining the venture.
