Airbus and Indamer Technics signed MoU to setup Radome repair facility in Nagpur.
Airbus-Indamer Technics Radome Repair Facility Nagpur: Airbus has selected Indamer Technics to establish a comprehensive aircraft radome repair facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, which the companies describe as the first such facility in South Asia. The facility is intended to expand Airbus’ regional aftermarket support and provide local repair, storage and exchange services for radomes fitted to its A320, A330, A350 and A380 aircraft families.
The agreement comes as airlines in India and the wider South Asian region prepare for fleet growth, including the introduction of additional widebody aircraft. By moving radome repair work closer to operators, Airbus expects to reduce the time aircraft spend waiting for components to be repaired or exchanged.
The facility will also form part of a wider effort to develop a localised Airbus avionics repair network in South Asia.
What is a radome?
A radome is the protective structure fitted around an aircraft’s radar and antenna equipment, generally at the front of the aircraft.
Although it forms part of the aircraft’s external structure, it has to perform two functions that can be difficult to balance. It must protect sensitive equipment from weather and physical impacts while allowing electromagnetic signals to pass through without significant interference.
Radomes can be exposed to hail, bird strikes, rain and other environmental stresses during normal operations. They also experience aerodynamic loads while an aircraft is flying.
Because damage can affect both the structural integrity of the component and the performance of equipment behind it, inspection and repair require specialised processes.
Services planned at Nagpur
Under the agreement, Indamer Technics will become an authorised facility for Airbus programme radomes covering the A320, A330, A350 and A380 families.
The Nagpur facility is expected to carry out a range of work, rather than simply repairing visible damage. This will include structural inspections and testing, paint stripping, repainting and curing.
It will also undertake major and minor repairs, advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) and certification for Release to Service (RTS).
NDT allows technicians to examine a component for defects without damaging it. For aircraft structures, this can be important when checking for problems that may not be apparent during a normal visual inspection.
The facility will also provide storage and exchange services for radomes. It is intended to operate as a central hub and will handle end-of-life units and their secure disposal where required.
Airbus A-380 Aircraft.
Airbus looks to reduce turnaround times
For airlines, the main practical benefit of local repair capability is potentially shorter turnaround time.
At present, specialised aircraft components that require repair may have to move between countries or facilities, adding transportation time and logistics requirements to the maintenance process.
Airbus President and Managing Director for India and South Asia Jürgen Westermeier said the agreement was intended to strengthen local aerospace capabilities.
“This agreement with Indamer Technics is a major milestone in our commitment to building a robust, localised aerospace ecosystem in India.”
Westermeier linked the facility to the government’s domestic manufacturing and services agenda.
“By bringing these essential maintenance capabilities directly to Nagpur, we are supporting the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ mission and fostering greater self-reliance in the country’s aviation MRO sector.”
He also pointed to expected growth in the regional aircraft fleet and the effect that could have on maintenance demand.
“As the region prepares for unprecedented fleet expansion, this facility will ensure we can support our customers with significantly reduced turnaround times, keeping their aircraft flying efficiently.”
According to Airbus, the project could also support future expansion of its repair network.
“The initiative further establishes a solid platform for future repair pipelining, opening the way for the continued expansion of the Airbus repair network as it serves one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets,” Westermeier said.
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Indamer to operate the facility
Indamer Technics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Horizon Aero Solutions Limited, a 50:50 venture between Adani Defence & Aerospace and Prime Aero.
The company operates MRO activities at multiple locations in India. Its new radome facility will be located in Nagpur.
Prajay Patel, Director of Indamer Technics, said the company’s selection by Airbus reflected its existing engineering and quality capabilities.
“Being selected by Airbus to set up this facility is a strong endorsement of Indamer Technics’ quality and engineering capabilities, and we are proud to bring this expertise to Nagpur.”
Patel said the company would focus on meeting Airbus’ requirements for the work.
“Safety and precision are at the core of everything we do, and we are committed to meeting Airbus’ exacting certification standards on every radome we handle.”
He also described the project as part of a broader ambition for India’s MRO sector.
“This agreement marks an important next step in our vision to establish India as a self-reliant, world-class hub for aerospace MRO, and we look forward to deepening this partnership as the region’s fleet continues to grow.”
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Nagpur’s role in regional MRO
The facility is expected to serve customers in India as well as the wider South Asian market.
Its scope across four Airbus aircraft families means it could support both single-aisle and widebody aircraft. That is relevant as airlines expand fleets and add newer aircraft types, potentially increasing demand for specialised component maintenance.
The project also illustrates a broader shift towards developing aircraft maintenance capabilities closer to major aviation markets.
For Airbus, the Nagpur facility provides another local support point for its growing customer base in India and South Asia. For Indamer Technics, it adds a specialised component-repair capability to its MRO operations.
The immediate focus will be on establishing the facility and meeting the required certification standards. Once operational, its ability to reduce turnaround times and support aircraft operators across the region will determine how significant Nagpur becomes within Airbus’ wider aftermarket network.
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