Adani Defence and Aerospace is preparing to enter the aircraft engine maintenance business, with plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for engines powering narrow-body commercial aircraft. The company expects to firm up its plans within the next 18 months, according to CEO Ashish Rajvanshi, who announced the development at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 conference in New Delhi.
The proposed facility could reduce Indian airlines’ dependence on overseas centres for major engine maintenance and support the development of a domestic aerospace services ecosystem. Adani is also considering establishing a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for aircraft engines after setting up the MRO operation. However, the project remains at the planning stage, with no investment amount, location, manufacturing partner or operational capacity officially confirmed.
Adani Defence Plans Aircraft Engine MRO Facility
Adani Defence and Aerospace wants to expand beyond its existing aircraft maintenance activities by entering the specialised engine MRO segment.
Ashish Rajvanshi said the company expects to finalise its plans for the proposed facility over the next 18 months. The initial focus will be engines used in narrow-body commercial aircraft, which form a significant portion of India’s passenger aviation fleet.
The announcement is important because engine maintenance is one of the most specialised and expensive areas of aircraft servicing. Airlines require specialised engineering facilities, technical expertise and manufacturer-approved processes to maintain engines and return them to service.
India currently sends a substantial portion of its aircraft engines overseas for heavy maintenance and repair. Developing domestic capabilities could help airlines access more maintenance services within the country.
Key Details of Adani’s Proposed MRO Project
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Adani Defence and Aerospace |
| Parent group | Adani Group |
| CEO | Ashish Rajvanshi |
| Proposed facility | Aircraft engine MRO |
| Aircraft category | Narrow-body commercial aircraft |
| Planning timeline | Next 18 months |
| Potential next phase | Final Assembly Line for engines |
| Investment amount | Not disclosed |
| Location | Not announced |
| Manufacturing partners | Discussions expected with major engine manufacturers |
The company has not yet announced a final investment decision or construction schedule. The next 18 months are intended for firming up the proposal rather than completing the facility.
Why Is Adani Targeting Narrow-Body Aircraft Engines?
Narrow-body aircraft are single-aisle passenger planes commonly used for domestic and short-to-medium-haul international flights.
Aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 family are examples of narrow-body commercial aircraft.
These aircraft are widely used by Indian airlines because they are suitable for high-frequency routes and large domestic passenger markets.
As India’s aviation industry expands, the number of narrow-body aircraft requiring regular inspections, maintenance and engine overhauls is expected to increase.
Engine maintenance is particularly important because aircraft engines operate under demanding conditions involving high temperatures, pressure and mechanical stress.
Airlines must regularly inspect engines, replace components and carry out major overhauls to maintain safety and operational reliability.
Adani’s proposed facility would focus on this growing requirement.
Adani in Talks With GE, Safran and Pratt & Whitney
One of the most important aspects of the proposed project is the involvement of established global aircraft engine manufacturers.
According to ET Infra, Rajvanshi said Adani is in discussions with companies such as GE, Safran and Pratt & Whitney to understand their plans and interest in developing engine maintenance capabilities in India.
These manufacturers have extensive experience in designing and producing commercial aircraft engines.
| Company | Aircraft Engine Business |
|---|---|
| GE Aerospace | Develops commercial aircraft engines, including engines used on Boeing and Airbus aircraft |
| Safran | Develops aircraft propulsion systems, including the CFM56 and LEAP engine families through CFM International |
| Pratt & Whitney | Manufactures commercial aircraft engines, including the geared turbofan family |
The involvement of engine manufacturers would be important because modern aircraft engines require specialised maintenance procedures, technical documentation, certified components and trained engineers.
However, Adani has not announced a confirmed partnership with any of these companies. The discussions are part of the planning process.
Why India Needs Domestic Aircraft Engine Maintenance
India’s commercial aviation market is expanding rapidly, creating additional demand for aircraft maintenance services.
According to the projection cited in the announcement, India’s commercial aircraft fleet could triple to approximately 2,250 aircraft over the next decade.
A larger fleet will require more maintenance infrastructure, including facilities for airframes, landing gear, engines and aircraft components.
Currently, Indian airlines send many engines overseas for major maintenance and repair. This can create logistical challenges and increase dependence on international maintenance centres.
Developing domestic engine MRO facilities could offer several advantages:
- Reduced overseas dependence: Airlines could access more engine maintenance services within India.
- Shorter logistics chains: Transporting engines to domestic facilities could simplify maintenance logistics.
- Technical employment: Specialised facilities would require trained engineers, technicians and aviation professionals.
- Aerospace ecosystem development: Domestic suppliers and component manufacturers could benefit from greater demand.
- Foreign exchange savings: More maintenance expenditure could potentially remain within India.
These benefits will depend on the facility’s eventual capacity, technical approvals, engine coverage and commercial arrangements.
India’s Aircraft MRO Market Could Reach $9.5 Billion by 2035
The opportunity extends beyond engine maintenance.
Airbus estimated in a January 2026 report that India’s market for aircraft structures, engines and components could triple to approximately $9.5 billion by 2035.
This market includes several areas of the aerospace supply chain, such as aircraft structures, engine components and related services. It should not be interpreted as an estimate for engine MRO alone.
The expansion of India’s aircraft fleet is expected to create demand across the wider aviation maintenance and manufacturing ecosystem.
| Industry Indicator | Projection |
|---|---|
| India’s commercial aircraft fleet | Approximately 2,250 aircraft over the next decade |
| Indian airframes, engines and components market | $9.5 billion by 2035 |
| Source of market estimate | Airbus |
| Adani’s proposed planning period | 18 months |
The growing market has attracted interest from both domestic companies and international aerospace manufacturers seeking opportunities in India.
Adani Already Has a Presence in India’s MRO Industry
The proposed engine MRO project builds on Adani Defence’s existing investments in aircraft maintenance.
In 2025, Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd acquired Air Works, a major private-sector aviation MRO company.
The acquisition strengthened the group’s presence in aircraft maintenance and engineering services.
Adani has also expanded its aviation maintenance footprint through a joint venture with Prime Aero to acquire AAR Indamer Technics, which operates an MRO facility at MIHAN in Nagpur.
The facility provides maintenance services for Airbus aircraft and has approvals from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other international aviation regulators.
These investments provide the group with an existing foundation in aircraft maintenance.
However, engine MRO is a separate and highly specialised business. The proposed facility would require additional technical capabilities, manufacturer relationships, specialised equipment and regulatory approvals.
Adani Could Also Consider an Aircraft Engine Assembly Line
Beyond maintenance, Adani Defence is exploring the possibility of establishing a Final Assembly Line for aircraft engines.
Rajvanshi indicated that an assembly facility could be considered after the engine MRO operation is established.
A Final Assembly Line brings together different engine components and systems into a completed engine. It requires specialised manufacturing infrastructure, quality-control systems, engineering expertise and close coordination with engine manufacturers.
If developed, such a facility could represent a further step in expanding India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
However, the assembly proposal is still exploratory. Adani has not announced a confirmed investment, manufacturing agreement or production target.
The company’s immediate priority is to firm up its engine MRO plans.
Previous Aircraft Engine Problems Highlight India’s Maintenance Requirements
The proposed investment also comes against the background of engine-related operational challenges faced by Indian airlines.
IndiGo and the now-defunct Go First experienced significant operational disruptions involving Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines.
The issues included problems involving engine components and durability, which contributed to aircraft groundings and maintenance requirements.
Go First eventually suspended operations in May 2023, although its financial and operational difficulties involved several factors beyond engine problems.
These experiences highlighted the importance of reliable engine maintenance, spare-parts availability and technical support for airlines.
A stronger domestic engine MRO ecosystem could improve India’s ability to support its growing aircraft fleet, although any new facility would need to meet stringent manufacturer and aviation-safety requirements.
The Bigger Picture
Adani Defence’s proposed aircraft engine MRO facility reflects India’s broader ambition to develop a domestic aerospace manufacturing and maintenance ecosystem.
For years, Indian airlines have depended heavily on overseas facilities for specialised aircraft maintenance. As the country’s commercial aircraft fleet expands, the demand for domestic engineering capabilities is expected to increase.
Adani’s existing investments in Air Works and AAR Indamer provide a foundation for expanding into more specialised maintenance activities. Partnerships with global engine manufacturers could be particularly important in developing the technical capabilities required for engine servicing.
However, the proposal is still at an early stage. The investment decision, location, capacity and manufacturing partnerships will determine how significant the project eventually becomes.
Looking Ahead
The next 18 months will be important for Adani Defence as it works towards finalising the proposed engine MRO facility. Investors and the aviation industry will watch for announcements regarding technology partners, investment commitments, location and the types of engines the facility will support. A potential agreement with GE, Safran or Pratt & Whitney could be an important milestone.
If the project moves forward, it could strengthen India’s domestic aviation maintenance capabilities and create opportunities across the aerospace supply chain. The possibility of a future engine assembly line would expand the ambition beyond maintenance into manufacturing. For now, however, the immediate focus remains on establishing a specialised MRO operation for narrow-body commercial aircraft engines.
SEO Details
SEO Title: Adani Defence Plans Aircraft Engine MRO Facility for Narrow-Body Planes
Meta Description: Adani Defence plans to establish a narrow-body aircraft engine MRO facility in India within 18 months, with potential partnerships involving GE, Safran and Pratt & Whitney.
URL Slug: adani-defence-aircraft-engine-mro-facility-india
Focus Keyword: Adani Defence aircraft engine MRO
Related Keywords: Adani Defence and Aerospace, aircraft engine maintenance India, narrow-body aircraft MRO, Indian aviation industry, GE Aerospace, Safran, Pratt & Whitney, Air Works acquisition
Alternative Headlines:
- Adani Defence Plans Aircraft Engine MRO Facility as India’s Aviation Fleet Expands
- Adani Eyes Engine Maintenance Business, Talks With GE, Safran and Pratt & Whitney
- Adani Defence Targets India’s Aircraft Engine MRO Market With 18-Month Plan
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