Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX), launched by Department of Defence Production in the
Ministry of Defence in April 2018, has created huge interest in startup community to work in this
reclusive sector. The Defence India Startup Challenges have brought over 500 startups which are
today active in this space. The iDEX Partner Incubators have enabled Department of Defence
Production to reach out to startups in all nooks and corners of the country. The progress has been
extremely heartening and encouraging. On the occasion of Aero India 2019, this Coffee Table Book on startupsdedicated to the Aerospace sector in India was released.
Like in automobiles the pay offs are significant in aeroplane design to manufacture.Among the BRIC nations Brazil has taken a lead in this area.In India HAL had been manufacturing aircraft with Russian collaboration. NAL has been working to develop indegeneous technology. The third option is now explored by Mahindra by acquiring two Australian firms.Mahindra Systech, the component arm of Mahindra & Mahindra, has struck a deal to acquire 75.1% stake in two Australian aerospace companies -- Aerostaff Australia (AA) and Gippsland Aeronautics (GA).The acquisitions have been jointly made by Mahindra Aerospace Pvt Ltd (MAPL) and Kotak Private Equity entailing a total commitment of Rs 175 crore.AA is a manufacturer of high precision close-tolerance aircraft components and assemblies for large OEMs such as Boeing and Airbus, while GA is an established brand in general aviation, which manufactures 2-20 seater aircraft and turboprop engines.With the acquisitions in place, Mahindra will have aircraft portfolio comprising GA200, GA8 AIRVAN, GA8 (turbocharge), GA24 (turboprop), and NM5, which has been jointly built with National Aeronautics Laboratory.
