The Government of Maharashtra has signed a MoU with Max Aerospace & Aviation Pvt. Ltd. to establish the state’s first dedicated helicopter manufacturing facility in Nagpur, with an estimated investment of Rs.8,000 crore.
The formal agreement was signed between Industries Secretary P. Anbalagan and Max Aerospace Chairman Bharat Malkani, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other senior officials. Scheduled to be operational by 2026, the facility will be developed in phases over the next eight years and is expected to generate approximately 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Strategically located near Nagpur airport, the plant will function as a Centre of Excellence for the customisation, integration, and flight testing of rotary-wing platforms, leveraging the region’s robust aviation infrastructure and logistical advantages.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence in the project, highlighting Nagpur’s readiness with its existing defence production ecosystem and reiterating the state’s full support. “Max Aerospace’s decision reflects Maharashtra’s emergence as a defence and aerospace hub,” he stated. Chairman Bharat Malkani emphasized his commitment to the state, noting Nagpur’s suitability for such a high-tech initiative and praising the government’s proactive approach. The facility is set to strengthen India’s aerospace supply chain, reduce reliance on imports, and support the national “Make in India” initiative. It represents a milestone in public-private collaboration, reinforcing Maharashtra’s role in advancing India’s self-reliant defence manufacturing ambitions.
