Airbus, a global aerospace giant, is set to significantly boost its engineering workforce in India, with plans to hire an additional 2,000 engineers over the next two years. This expansion initiative aims to bring the total number of Airbus engineers in India to an impressive 5,000. Rémi Maillard, the President of Airbus India and Managing Director of South Asia, emphasized that India is not just a market but also a vital “talent hub” for the company.

The announcement was accompanied by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Airbus and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara, in the presence of India’s Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. This MoU paves the way for the introduction of a new engineering course focused on the aerospace sector. Maillard expressed Airbus’s commitment to nurturing the aerospace ecosystem in India, acknowledging their responsibility to invest in developing a skilled workforce. He emphasized that this partnership with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya would help create a robust pipeline of skilled professionals ready to serve India’s rapidly growing aerospace sector.

Responding to a query about Airbus’s roadmap for hiring more Indian engineers, Maillard stated, “As of today, we employ more than 3,000 engineers in our design and digital centers. By 2025, we will exceed 5,000 engineers. So, we are progressing rapidly. We are investing in India and betting on India because we believe India offers the right mix of competency and competitiveness.”

Airbus’s collaboration with academia and industry is an integral part of their strategy. Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that they are in talks to sign MoUs with other prominent players like Alstom, Deutsche Bahn, and Siemens in the coming months. These partnerships aim to strengthen various sectors, including railways, maritime, trucking, and warehousing.

Maillard also shared exciting news about Airbus’s “Make-In-India” initiative. The first C295 military aircraft, manufactured in India, is scheduled for delivery in September 2026. Airbus has a contract for 56 C295 aircraft with the Indian Air Force, and 40 of them will be produced, assembled, and maintained in India. The remaining 16 aircraft will be delivered in a fly-away condition from Spain.

Airbus’s commitment to expanding its presence in India underscores the country’s significance in the global aerospace industry and demonstrates Airbus’s confidence in India’s engineering talent and competitiveness. This move aligns with India’s ambitions to enhance its aerospace capabilities and strengthen its position as a key player in the sector.

AFI