As India celebrates 78 years of independence, a quiet revolution is reshaping the nation’s military aviation capability, not in the skies, but on the ground. With a vision rooted in Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), India’s defence Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector is undergoing unprecedented transformation, ensuring that our armed forces no longer have to look abroad to keep their aircraft flying.

India’s has a huge defence aviation fleet approximately around 1,700 aircraft and is one of the largest in the world. A part of this fleet, legacy aircraft like MiG-21, IL-76, and Mi-17 are fast becoming obsolete. Taking care of this fleet is of critical importance in terms of safety and security. Eyeing this market, the Adani Aerospace & Defence forecasted India’s defence MRO market to reach $3bn by 2031 – A $3bn worth of opportunity!

Here’s where arises the need of self-reliance or atmanirbhata, as every nut tightened and every engine overhauled domestically strengthens India’s ability to protect its skies without foreign dependencies or logistical bottlenecks.

INDIA’S COME A LONG WAY!

In the latest, Rolls-Royce is exploring the establishment of a dedicated MRO facility in India for its AE2100 engines. These engines power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft that is a critical asset for strategic airlift and rapid deployment operations.

This initiative is in line with the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Vision 2035 Defence Industrial Roadmap, both of which seek to deepen bilateral cooperation in aerospace, technology, and innovation.

With this MRO, the AE2100 engine support in India would deliver reduced turnaround times, enhanced fleet availability, and improved mission readiness for the IAF. Beyond maintenance, there is potential for assembly and testing collaborations under India’s Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, creating further opportunities.

Rolls-Royce’s plan also aligns with its broader strategy to double sourcing of complex aero-engine components from India within the next five years. This would build upon its existing partnerships with leading Indian defence and aerospace manufacturers, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Force Motors, Tata Group, Godrej & Boyce, and Bharat Forge.

RELIANCE DEFENCE STEPS IN!

A major step in this direction came recently when Reliance Defence Ltd, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, inked a strategic pact with US-based Coastal Mechanics Inc. (CMI). Together, they will set up a state-of-the-art MRO and upgrade facility at MIHAN, Nagpur.

One of the most strategic Indo-US defence collaborations to date is the upcoming C-130J MRO facility in Bengaluru, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin

This centre is poised to service over 100 Jaguar and MiG-29 fighter aircraft, 20 Apache attack helicopters and L-70 air defence guns.

With this, Reliance aims to become one of India’s top three defence exporters, directly targeting India’s multi-MRO opportunity while bolstering export-readiness.

THE S-400 BREAKTHROUGH

In a landmark development, India is establishing an MRO facility for the S-400 air defence system in partnership with Russia’s Almaz-Antey. This move comes on the heels of the S-400’s pivotal performance in Operation Sindoor (May 2025), where it successfully defended multiple Indian cities against coordinated drone and missile attacks.

With three S-400 squadrons already in service and two more on the way, localising maintenance ensures that India retains full operational control over one of its most advanced and sensitive military assets, without delays, risks, or external dependencies.

LOCKHEED MARTIN-TATA: C-130J MRO

One of the most strategic Indo-US defence collaborations to date is the upcoming C-130J MRO facility in Bengaluru, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin.

Backed by the Karnataka government, this facility will service India’s fleet of 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and potentially support other regional operators. It marks a giant leap forward in building a regional MRO hub, echoing India’s ‘Make in India’, Maintain in India vision.

THE HAL INITIATIVE

HAL, the backbone of India’s aerospace ambitions, continues to anchor Atmanirbharta through deep technology transfer and strategic partnerships.

• With Collins Aerospace, HAL is establishing an MRO unit in Lucknow to service key electrical systems of the LCA Tejas Mk1, directly boosting fleet availability.
• With SAAB, HAL will indigenise the LWS-310 Laser Warning Systems, ensuring mission-readiness for IAF fighters and adding another layer of electronic warfare capability to India’s growing inventory.

Both initiatives reduce dependence on foreign OEMs and inject long-term sustainability into India’s indigenous platforms.

MARITIME MRO COMES HOME

For the first time, Boeing and AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) have delivered in-country overhaul services for the Indian Navy’s P-8I fleet, starting with the landing gear at INS Rajali. The collaboration signals India’s increasing technical maturity in high-complexity MRO, extending not just across platforms, but across services.

SAFRAN’S EXPANDING FOOTPRINT

Safran Aircraft Engine Services India is building a dedicated MRO facility in Hyderabad for Rafale’s M88 engines, to begin operations by end-2026. The site will also support LEAP engines and is expected to generate up to 900 jobs in future phases.

This yet again reflects the strategic embedding of foreign OEMs into India’s aerospace fabric, through long-term industrial partnerships, rather than transactional deals.

WHAT IS BREWING BETWEEN EMBRAER AND MAHINDRA

If selected under the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, Embraer’s C-390 Millennium will be locally assembled, maintained, and potentially exported from India in partnership with Mahindra Defence.

With the IAF operating multiple squadrons of Mirage 2000 and Rafale jets, Dassault Aviation’s new MRO entity in Noida, Dassault Aviation MRO India (DAMROI) will ensure long-term sustainment of these aircraft under Indian control

The proposal covers MRO, training, R&D, and tech transfer — making India not just an operator, but a stakeholder in the C-390’s global support chain. The deal, if awarded, could mark India’s first indigenous MRO base for a tactical transport aircraft with global export potential.

DASSAULT’S MRO INDIA SUBSIDIARY AND THE MIRAGE-RAFALE ECOSYSTEM

With the IAF operating three squadrons of Mirage 2000 and Rafale jets, Dassault Aviation’s new MRO entity in Noida, Dassault Aviation MRO India (DAMROI) will ensure long-term sustainment of these aircraft under Indian control.

Established under the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy, this facility strengthens India’s position in the Rafale global supply chain while creating new pathways for technology integration and capability development.

For India’s defence readiness, such initiatives are more than just infrastructure investment; they are building blocks for a robust, self-sustaining MRO industry capable of meeting the demands of both current and future defence platforms.

THE FIRST MILE OF SELF-RELIANT MRO

True MRO self-reliance begins with localised components:

• Godrej Aerospace has partnered with ADA to develop Flight Control Actuators for the AMCA, a critical subsystem for India’s future 5th-gen fighter.
• Safran-BEL JV will localise HAMMER smart munition production, reducing import dependency for precision weapons.

These developments embed selfreliance at the source, enabling longterm support, rapid turnaround, and robust defence manufacturing.

ATMANIRBHARTA IN DEFENCE MRO IS NOT JUST ON PAPER, ITS OPERATIONAL

India’s 78th Independence Day marks more than a celebration of sovereignty. It marks a moment when India’s armed forces can now rely on domestic capability to maintain and sustain their strategic platforms, across air, land, and sea.

From Nagpur to Noida, Hyderabad to Bengaluru, India’s defence MRO network is rising, rooted in vision, skill, and self-belief. Atmanirbharta is no longer a policy, it is now a proven capability and it is here to stay!