Airbus Chairman Rene Obermann has publicly lauded India’s engineering excellence, calling it “among the best in the world” and an immense opportunity for Europe’s technological future. Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue, Obermann detailed how a recent week-long visit to India “completely blew him away” by the level of ambition, quality, and education he witnessed among Indian engineers and entrepreneurs. He stressed that India represents a strategic, long-term partner for Airbus, emphasizing the company’s role in co-developing components and supporting India’s Make in India initiative through projects such as the domestic assembly of the C295 aircraft.
Shifting the Partnership Beyond Cost Advantage to Innovation:
Obermann’s remarks reflect a change in thinking: rather than only gaining access to cheaper production, Europe’s alliances with India are now more concerned about utilizing Indian tech expertise and creativity. In addition to India, the chairman described Airbus’s strategy for “local for local” manufacturing in other important international markets, including as China and the US. He mentioned two distinct advantages in the global IT race: the aspirations of Indian businesspeople and the size of the country’s vibrant, youthful workforce, which averages only 28 years old. In order to ensure mutual growth and resilience in the face of global uncertainty, the company’s strategy actively supports the Made in India movement by pushing for deeper co-development with suppliers and locally relevant technological solutions.
India’s Demographic Dividend and Growing Global Influence:
India’s vast, aspirational, and digitally connected youth population, now exceeding one billion internet users, is driving rapid growth and technology adoption across industries. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at the same Berlin event, noted that India’s $4 trillion nominal GDP already equates to $15 trillion in purchasing power parity. Goyal stressed that India’s demographic advantage gives it a significant edge over other global regions and signals strong demand and ongoing innovation. India continues to open new markets for exports and regional cooperation, which further boosts its international stature.
Airbus Deepens India Manufacturing Footprint with New Helicopter and Aircraft Assembly Initiatives:
By collaborating with Tata Advanced Systems to set up India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the H125 model in Vemagal, Karnataka, Airbus has strengthened its ties to the Indian aerospace industry. In order to further enhance local expertise and ecosystem development, Mahindra Aerostructures was also chosen to produce essential fuselage components for Airbus helicopters. With first deliveries scheduled for early 2027, the H125 FAL will provide civil and military rotorcraft, including versions for emergency services, law enforcement, disaster management, and military purposes.It’s
This program strengthens a comprehensive commitment to building, designing, and servicing aircraft in India and supports Airbus and Tata’s current C295 transport aircraft manufacturing line in Vadodara, Gujarat. With plans to increase this amount to $2 billion by 2030, Airbus now sources more than 40 Indian vendors for more than $1.4 billion worth of components and services each year. These initiatives, which include the recently opened pilot training academy in Gurugram with Air India, are essential to Airbus’s worldwide strategy and help India realize its goal of becoming a significant center for aerospace manufacture, innovation, and highly qualified aviation personnel.
Europe-India Collaboration: Opportunities Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Obermann concluded that the evolving global order presents rare opportunities for Europe to engage with India “as a whole” rather than through fragmented bilateral relationships. Recent geopolitical developments have driven a more unified European approach, providing new avenues for deeper collaboration in sectors such as defence, energy, emerging technologies, and mobility. Airbus’s commitment to India reflects a broader trend of European companies seeking resilient supply chains and enhanced technological exchange in partnership with Indian firms.
