India’s Aviation Potential: Insights By Mirchandani

By Author: Skyone
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India has the potential to be a strong link in the global aviation supply chain, says Jaideep Mirchandani

In March, global aircraft manufacturer Airbus announced annual plans to procure components and services worth US$2 billion from India by 2030. This marks a notable rise from the current figure of US$1.4 billion and highlights India’s growing role in the global manufacturing and supply network.

Not only Airbus, but global majors like Rolls-Royce and Collins Aerospace are also sourcing parts from India. Industry leaders believe that with the strength of India’s technological and component manufacturers, along with the country’s competitive edge in engineering, India has the potential to be a reliable and forward-looking player in the global aerospace supply chain, offering cost-effective solutions beyond the traditional markets of Europe and North America.

“India is quickly becoming a key source for manufacturing aircraft components such as landing gear, electrical switches, fuselage sections and motion control systems. This shift comes at a crucial time, as global aircraft and engine manufacturers ...
... are facing part shortages due to worker strikes, labour gaps, and supply chain disruptions. While traditional markets struggle to meet demand, India is stepping up, with several major aeronautics firms in the country now looking to scale up their production capacity,” says Jaideep Mirchandani, group chairman of Sky One.

He also believes that India benefits from a skilled, young and educated workforce, including technical experts and engineers, which positions the country to move up the value chain into areas such as design, engineering, and system integration. “It may be too early to say that India has reached the centre stage of global manufacturing, but this is the right time to take decisive steps toward becoming a major hub in a critical manufacturing sector,” adds Mr Mirchandani.

According to a report by Grand View Research, the aerospace parts manufacturing market in India, valued at US$ 13.6 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% between 2024 and 2030.

Mr Mirchandani says that, in addition to supplying components to global companies, Indian manufacturers have the potential to contribute significantly to building a robust domestic aviation ecosystem.

“The demand for aerospace components is closely linked to the rising need for air travel, both within the country and internationally. India’s civil aviation sector has seen steady growth in recent years, and airlines are actively expanding their fleets. With more planes in operation, the maintenance frequency also rises. This, in turn, increases the demand for high-quality aircraft parts. New technological innovations, along with the expansion of MRO services, are further driving this demand. As more aircraft are serviced and maintained within India, the need for locally produced components continues to rise,” concludes Mr Mirchandani.