Airbus Establishes R&D Centre in Gujarat to Enhance Local Innovation

Aerospace giant Airbus has announced plans to establish a Research and Development (R&D) Centre of Excellence at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Gujarat. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to bolstering India’s innovation ecosystem. The announcement was made by Jurgen Westermeier, managing director of Airbus, during a meeting with Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology.

Westermeier highlighted that Airbus sources over $1 billion worth of components annually from more than 100 Indian suppliers. “Glad to know from Mr. Jurgen Westermeier that Airbus is sourcing $1 billion+ worth components and has 100+ Indian suppliers,” Vaishnaw stated. The R&D centre at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will further leverage India’s strong design capabilities, facilitating advanced research in aerospace technology.

Expanding Airbus’s Digital Footprint in India

Airbus has already established a Digital Centre in Bengaluru, which it describes as the backbone of its digital transformation strategy. This facility stands as the second-largest digital hub for Airbus worldwide, following its headquarters in Toulouse, France. In 2018, the company expanded its digital capabilities in India by launching a Global Capability Centre (GCC) aimed at supporting its various divisions globally.

The firm employs over 3,600 individuals across its operations in India, including more than 1,500 skilled IT professionals focused on delivering IT solutions. This workforce contributes significantly to the company’s projects, which often involve collaborations with leading Indian institutes on joint R&D efforts. These projects are focused on areas such as sustainability, engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and big data.

Strengthening Local Partnerships

Airbus’s commitment to developing local partnerships is evident in its recent activities. In August, Airbus Helicopters awarded a contract to Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt Ltd. (MASPL) for the manufacturing of the main fuselage of its H125 helicopter. This collaboration aligns with the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, aiming to foster local manufacturing and innovation in the aerospace sector.

Additionally, in December 2024, Tata Group-owned Air India placed an order for 100 Airbus aircraft, which includes 10 wide-body A350s and 90 narrow-body A320 Family aircraft. This significant order not only strengthens the business relationship between Airbus and Air India but also demonstrates the growing demand for advanced aviation solutions in the region.

In summary, Airbus’s establishment of the R&D Centre in Gujarat represents a strategic investment in India’s aerospace sector, reinforcing the company’s dedication to innovation and collaboration within the local ecosystem. The ongoing partnerships and substantial sourcing from Indian suppliers further highlight the importance of India as a key player in the global aerospace landscape.