India-based conglomerate Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Ltd (ADSTL) has signed definitive agreements to acquire independent MRO Air Works, a pan-India network with a presence across 27 cities.

Air Works undertakes base maintenance for the ATR 42/72, A320 and B737 fleet of aircraft from its EASA and DGCA-certified facilities at Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur and Kochi. The third-party MRO is India’s largest, privately-owned, integrated provider of aviation services to scheduled airlines, organisations and individuals owning or operating aircraft.

“Given India's growth trajectory and the government's focus on networking the nation through a massive mesh of air connectivity, it is inevitable that the primary growth of India's airline and airport sector lies ahead of it. Therefore, the maintenance, repair and overhaul sector has a crucial role to play in both the defence and civilian aerospace sector. Add to this the ongoing modernisation programme to make India a large market for defence aircraft and what emerges is one of the most exciting, comprehensive, at scale and digital MRO services within the boundaries of the nation,” says Adani CEO Ashish Rajvanshi. "Air Works has impeccable proven capabilities and over its 70 year aviation legacy has successfully delivered several India-first and industry-first projects. Combine this with the Adani Group's capabilities and what we get is an entity that truly represents what an Atmanirbhar Bharat [self-reliant India] in a critical sector should look like."

Air Works MD and CEO D Anand Bhaskar adds: “India has the potential to become the MRO hub for the region across defence and civil aircraft. It is a wonderful opportunity for Air Works and its employees to be subsumed under the Adani Defence and Aerospace platform. The government's policy measures and initiatives, including convergence of civil and defence MRO, would create economies of scale and huge employment opportunities.”

Established in 1951, Air Works Group has the largest pan-India network presence across 27 cities. It is the preferred MRO partner to global aviation OEMs, aircraft owners/ operators (including fixed wing and rotary wing), lessors, airlines and the Indian defence services, offering MRO and heavy checks, line maintenance, cabin and interior refurbishment, exterior finishing and painting, avionics upgrades, integrations and retrofits, end-of-lease/ redelivery checks, maintenance training (CAR 147) and asset management services to domestic and international clients.