Airbus Awards A320 Fuselage Contract to Mahindra Aerostructures
Airbus, a leading global aerospace company, has granted a contract to Mahindra Aerostructures for the production of A320 aircraft fuselage skins. Airbus states that this partnership greatly enhances the 'Make in India' initiative.
The aerospace giant stated that the partnership reinforces India’s position in high-precision engineering, increasing the nation’s presence in worldwide aerospace production.
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According to the contract, Mahindra Aerostructures will produce and deliver fuselage skins for Sections 18 and 19, which comprise the rear fuselage and tail sections of the Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, from its Bengaluru facility to the Airbus Aerostructures manufacturing site in Augsburg, Germany.
The project encompasses the production of eight fuselage skins for Section 18 and three fuselage skins for Section 19 of the plane.
“This contract from Airbus Aerostructures to Mahindra for the manufacturing of the A320 family fuselage skins is a testament to the world-class precision manufacturing capabilities present in the country,” said Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia.
“By manufacturing complex components for our A320neo Family aircraft directly out of Bengaluru, Mahindra is playing a pivotal role in deepening India’s aerospace footprint and further driving the vision of ‘Make in India’ on the global stage.”
Simultaneously, as part of the long-term industrialisation plan, Mahindra Aerostructures will enhance its specialised manufacturing abilities by implementing advanced chemical milling, surface treatment, and stretch-forming production processes. Airbus stated that the collaboration will facilitate essential technology advancements in India by incorporating stretch-forming abilities, crucial for producing skin panels that constitute a significant part of an aircraft's aerostructure.
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Additionally, the program's early manufacturing engineering tasks, such as tooling design, process flow revisions, qualification, and inspection, are in progress with the completion aimed for 2028. Additionally, the updated agreement enhances the developing partnership between Mahindra Aerostructures and Airbus.
Recently, Mahindra Aerostructures has obtained contracts to produce and assemble the primary fuselages for the Airbus H125 and H130 helicopters, while also providing parts and sub-assemblies for Airbus commercial aircraft projects.
Significantly, all Airbus commercial airplanes incorporate parts and technologies produced in India. Airbus presently acquires components and services totaling more than $1.6 billion each year from India, encompassing intricate aerostructures and assemblies like aircraft doors and helicopter cabins, highlighting India's expanding significance in Airbus' worldwide supply chain and aiding in the effective fulfillment of the C295 offset requirement.
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The aerospace sector is reported to be on course to surpass $2 billion in yearly sourcing by the decade's end. Airbus has set up two final assembly lines in India for the C295 and H125 helicopter as well.