Max Aerospace to set up Rs 8,000cr helicopter manufacturing unit in Nagpur
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It would cater to both military and civil sectors. The project will entail an investment of Rs 8,000 crore, creating 2,000 jobs.
The state govt hopes the project will give a major thrust to the defence manufacturing sector in Vidarbha. Currently, the public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited makes helicopters in the country. Airbus and Tatas also have plans to set up a unit in Karnataka. Max's MoU signed in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and industries minister Uday Samant, comes soon after this.
Talking to TOI, the CEO of Max Aerospace, Bharat Malkani, said the plan is to start building the plant by the middle of next year. The company is eyeing a collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across the world.
Max is hopeful of striking a deal with an OEM soon, and an announcement will be made in the coming months, he said. Malkani stated the plan is to cater to both civil and defence sectors. Max is planning to make light and medium helicopters. In the defence sector, the idea is to serve the
initially.
There is a major need to cater to the Indian defence segment considering the strategic requirements of the country, he said.
Max may need around 150 acres of land. Already in the maintenance business earlier, it planned to set up an aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) business in the Mihan-SEZ. However, the company withdrew after it found taxation rules concerning an SEZ not compatible with its business plans.
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Now, as it is open to taking up land in the Mihan project, it would request the govt to allot space in the domestic tariff area (DTA) instead.
Once the construction begins it hopes the plant would be ready in the next three-and-half years.
Malkani said the company chose to venture into helicopter manufacturing after it felt that the country needs to have an established player in the segment. India is one of the largest aviation markets, but there is hardly any presence in the manufacturing side.
"Max plans to take the initiative and hopes that in the coming decades, the scenario may undergo a major change," he says. As it ties up with a global market, various models will be tried.
A part of the components will be of the company's own proprietary design, he said.
The project will have a centre of excellence for rotary wing platform customisation, integration, and flight testing, as per a press release issued from the chief minister's office. Locating the facility near the airport will enable it to provide basic support and logistics easily. CM said the govt hopes the company will start operations within the stipulated time.
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