Synopsis: Adani Defence & Aerospace is building capabilities across drones, missiles, counter-drone systems, small arms and aircraft MRO rather than focusing only on assembly work. The defence and technology business is still a relatively small part of the group today. Recent partnerships with Leonardo and Embraer highlight the company’s growing ambitions in India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing.
Recent partnerships, big-ticket defence projects and growing talk of “Make in India” have suddenly pushed Adani Defence & Aerospace into the national spotlight. Once seen mainly as a small part of the larger Adani group, the business is now being discussed alongside India’s most important defence players after tie-ups with global giants like Leonardo and Embraer. But beyond the headlines and partnerships, what exactly does Adani Defence & Aerospace actually offer?
Adani Defence & Aerospace
Adani Defence & Aerospace is focused on building deep technological capabilities in critical defence and aerospace sectors rather than merely assembling or integrating products. The company strategically invests in key platforms and works at the sub-system and component level to develop genuine technical expertise. Instead of depending on basic manufacturing, it aims to create indigenous capabilities that strengthen India’s defence ecosystem. This approach ensures long-term self-reliance and positions the company as a serious player in advanced military and aerospace technologies.
The company follows global standards in quality, operations, and delivery, maintaining a strong commitment to zero defects and on-time execution. It prioritises research, innovation, and design, continuously upgrading its capabilities through advanced R&D facilities in India and abroad. As India’s largest integrated private defence and aerospace firm, Adani Defence is expanding across aircraft, drones, avionics, weapons, and maintenance services.
With the country’s largest MRO network and a growing pilot training platform, it is playing a key role in strengthening India’s aviation and defence value chain while aligning with national security goals and global industry standards.
What Do They Make?
Unmanned Systems
Adani Defence & Aerospace offers a broad portfolio of ISR drones ranging from large military systems to small tactical platforms. At the high end is Drishti 10 (Starliner), a long-endurance drone capable of flying up to 36 hours at 30,000 feet with heavy payload capacity. The Drishti 6 is a combat-proven tactical drone with over 300,000 flight hours, designed for mobility and reliability in field operations.
For shorter-range missions, the company provides Aramukhi 6, SNAP-X, SPOT Mini, Alakh and Magpie, which support real-time surveillance, border monitoring, room intervention and continuous area observation. The portfolio is further strengthened by VTOL and multi-rotor systems such as Sting Bee VTOL for autonomous and swarm operations, Hexaglide 600 for high-altitude logistics, and Vibhram for long-endurance rotary surveillance.
In loitering munitions, Adani Defence offers attack drones that combine surveillance with precision strike capability. Agnikaa AR is designed to target and neutralize enemy air defence radars at long range, while Agnikaa provides standoff precision strikes with man-in-the-loop control. Agnikaa VTOL enables vertical take-off with reuse capability if a mission is aborted, and Mini Agnikaa is a tactical system that can be launched from land or naval platforms and operate in adverse weather. Together, these platforms cover both reconnaissance and precision engagement roles.
Counter Drone Systems
Adani Defence & Aerospace provides an integrated Counter Drone System that can detect, track, identify and neutralize hostile drones across urban, semi-urban and rural areas. The system is modular and can be deployed in stationary, mobile, portable, vehicular or handheld configurations. It uses an advanced 3D radar in X and S bands that offers 360-degree coverage, detects over 100 targets at a time and has a range of more than 10 km, with automatic classification of drones. This is supported by a passive SIGINT system that scans frequencies from 400 MHz to 6000 MHz and pinpoints drone locations through direction-finding.
For countermeasures, the system includes smart RF and GNSS jamming that blocks drone communication while maintaining a clean spectrum, with options for directional control or future spoofing capability. It also integrates EO/IR cameras for day-night tracking and visual confirmation. For neutralization, the company offers high-power laser engagement and specialized interceptor drones that can operate without GPS. All elements can be seamlessly integrated with existing air defence networks and small arms systems.
Small Arms and Ammunitions
Adani Defence & Aerospace offers a full range of small arms, including pistols, rifles, carbines, light machine guns and precision weapons. The portfolio includes the PLR 9 9mm pistol, TIVRA carbine, ABHAY bullpup rifle, JEET 5.56 rifle, PRAHAR light machine gun, ACHOOK support weapon, and LAKSHYA precision rifle. Along with weapons, the company supplies a complete ecosystem of accessories such as day and night sights, red dot optics, thermal and night vision devices, suppressors, flashlights, magazines, polymer cases, holsters, assault grips, bayonets, bipods, tactical carry cases and a conversion kit for Abhay.
In ammunition, the company covers small, medium and large calibres. Small arms rounds include 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 9x19mm NATO and .338 Lapua sniper ammunition. In medium calibre, it offers 23mm HEIT and APIT, 30mm grenade and cannon rounds, and multiple 40mm grenades including VOG-25 and 40x46mm HE and HEAP with self-destruct safety. In large calibre, it provides 155mm artillery shells, HE ERFB Base Bleed, HE ERFB Boat Tail and the standard M-107 high explosive round.
Missiles
Adani Defence & Aerospace offers a range of precision-guided missiles and air defence systems designed for both air and ground warfare. The Gaurav Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) is an air-to-surface weapon that can be launched from fighter aircraft to destroy hardened targets such as airstrips, bunkers and military installations using inertial navigation guidance.
The company also offers the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM), developed with DRDO, which is capable of autonomously hitting both stationary and moving targets in day and night conditions. For ground-based air defence, it provides the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), a man-portable system designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges with miniaturized avionics and reaction control systems.
On the offensive side, Adani Defence supplies the Rudram-1 New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM), an air-to-surface missile meant to neutralize enemy radar and communication systems, featuring dual seekers and advanced safety mechanisms for fighter aircraft integration. In the naval domain, the company offers the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM), which has fire-and-forget capability, lock-on-after-launch mode, sea-skimming and lofted flight profiles, and all-weather day-night performance with a long-burn rocket motor.
Aircraft Services & MRO
Adani Defence & Aerospace provides comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services covering both base maintenance and line maintenance for narrow-body aircraft. The facility has six dedicated bays and is fully equipped to handle the A320 family, including both CEO and NEO variants, with complete major periodic check (MPD) capability.
The MRO is approved by India’s DGCA and the US FAA, which allows it to service aircraft to global regulatory standards. Beyond routine maintenance, the company has experience in C-checks, structural repairs, modifications and upgrades. It also offers supporting services such as non-destructive testing, battery overhaul, cabin refurbishment, and sheet metal and composite structure repairs.
In addition to maintenance, the company operates a specialized aircraft painting facility for narrow-body aircraft. The paint hangar is fully equipped with advanced doors and an air extraction system to ensure high-quality finishing and safety during painting operations. The facility supports different painting methods, including rub-down and strip-down processes, and can apply multiple types of aircraft liveries such as high-solid, base coat and clear coat finishes. It is capable of handling not only commercial airliners but also business jets and helicopters, making it a versatile service provider in the aviation segment.
How Much Do They Make?
In the second quarter of FY26, management clarified that the defence and technology business is still at a relatively early stage in terms of financial scale within the group. They indicated that the business currently generates around Rs. 500 crore in EBITDA but is not yet large enough to be reported as a separate business segment. For now, its performance is included under the “Others” category in the company’s segmental reporting. The management explained that this is because the business is still evolving, and its contribution remains small compared to the overall operations of the group.
They further stated that the capital expenditure in this business is also limited, currently accounting for only about 3 to 4 percent of total capex. The leadership highlighted that defence and technology is more of a services-driven business rather than purely product-based, which typically takes longer to scale up. As service contracts and technology platforms grow over time, the segment is expected to become more significant, at which point it will be separately reported in the company’s financial disclosures.
Recent Developments
Leonardo Helicopter Partnership
Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a strategic MoU with Leonardo, a global leader in defence and aerospace, to build a comprehensive helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The partnership is aimed primarily at meeting the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces, especially for Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters. The collaboration will focus on gradual indigenization, strong MRO capabilities, and structured pilot training programs, strengthening India’s domestic defence manufacturing base.
The initiative combines Leonardo’s engineering expertise with Adani Defence’s manufacturing and integration capabilities, supporting the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. Beyond military use, the partnership could also extend to civil aviation and global supply chains. The project is expected to generate thousands of skilled jobs in engineering, production, logistics, and maintenance, positioning India as an emerging hub for helicopter manufacturing.
Embraer Regional Aircraft Partnership
Adani Defence & Aerospace has also signed an MoU with Embraer, a leading global aerospace company, to develop a regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India. The collaboration aims to explore opportunities in aircraft assembly, supply chain development, maintenance services, and pilot training. The plan includes setting up an assembly line followed by increased local manufacturing over time, aligned with India’s Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) program and the UDAN regional connectivity initiative.
This partnership builds on Embraer’s existing presence in India, as the Indian Air Force already operates Embraer-based platforms such as the Legacy 600 and the Netra AEW&C aircraft, while Star Air runs a fleet of E175 and ERJ145 planes. The collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities while supporting both defence and civilian aviation needs.
Adani Defence & Aerospace is clearly positioning itself as a serious long-term player rather than a short-term supplier. Its strength lies in a wide product range, global partnerships and a strong MRO network, which gives it stability even while new technologies scale up. However, financially the business is still small and services-heavy, meaning meaningful growth will take time. If its drone, missile and helicopter plans execute well, the company could become an important pillar of India’s defence ecosystem.
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