Airbus to Establish R&D Centre at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Gujarat.

Global aerospace major Airbus is set to establish a Research and Development (R&D) Centre of Excellence at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Gujarat, further strengthening its footprint in India. The announcement came during a meeting recently between Jürgen Westermeier, Managing Director at Airbus, and Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Airbus, which already sources components worth over $1 billion annually from more than 100 Indian suppliers, highlighted India’s growing role as a key hub for aerospace innovation and technology. The company said its sourcing strategy reflects a strong commitment to India’s industrial ecosystem and economic growth.

According to Airbus, India has become a strategic hub for emerging technologies, thanks to its “world-class talent and research and development that powers the aerospace sector.” The company has expanded its presence in the country over the years, including the establishment of a Digital Centre in Bengaluru — its second-largest after Toulouse, France, and a Global Capability Centre in 2018 to support worldwide operations.

Currently, Airbus employs more than 3,600 people in India, including over 1,500 skilled IT professionals working on digital transformation initiatives. The company also collaborates with premier Indian institutes in research, development, and training, while its local footprint spans sourcing, engineering, services, and innovation.

The planned R&D centre in Gujarat is expected to deepen Airbus’ partnerships in India and bolster local innovation in aerospace technology.