Merlinhawk Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with Italy-based Vega Composites, has inaugurated an advanced composites manufacturing facility at Shoolagiri in the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
The facility, operated under Merlinhawk Composites & Engineering Pvt. Ltd., was inaugurated by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Former Chief of Navy Staff, in the presence of industry leaders, global partners, and key stakeholders from India’s defence and manufacturing ecosystem.
This milestone formalises a strategic India–Italy collaboration, combining global expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies with India’s growing engineering and industrial capabilities.
“It is heartening to note that Merlinhawk Aerospace, for the last four decades, has been at the forefront in developing indigenous solutions for high end avionics technology and has indigenised large number of components in line with the nation’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It is also noteworthy that the firm has moved into advance composite material technology with Vega Composites, Italy towards ensuring that the Indian Defence industry absorbs advanced technology into the ecosystem. I’m sure that this facility is going to be of immense importance to our nation in design and manufacturing of advance composite components for defence and aerospace industry.”
A Strategic Leap in Aerospace Manufacturing
The Shoolagiri facility is designed to manufacture advanced composite aerostructures and high-performance materials for next-generation aerospace and defence platforms, including aircraft, unmanned systems, radar, and electronic warfare applications.
With integrated capabilities spanning cleanroom layup, precision cutting, autoclave curing, and five-axis CNC machining, the facility enables end-to-end composite manufacturing from design to delivery within India. It reflects a broader shift in India’s defence ecosystem towards design-led, high-value engineering.
“This facility marks a defining step in Merlinhawk’s journey from systems engineering to advanced aerospace manufacturing. As global aerospace platforms increasingly rely on high-performance composite materials, it is critical for India to build integrated capabilities in design, materials, and manufacturing. Through our partnership with Vega Composites, we are bringing together global technology expertise and Indian engineering to create a manufacturing ecosystem that not only supports domestic programmes but also positions India as a credible player in global aerospace supply chains.”
Global Technology, Indian Manufacturing
The facility integrates globally aligned manufacturing technologies and processes, with key equipment sourced from European partners, supporting technology transfer and strengthening capabilities in advanced materials.
“Advanced composites are at the core of modern aerospace and defence systems. This facility has been built with a clear focus on precision, quality, and compliance with global aerospace standards. Beyond manufacturing, our focus is on building long-term capability – developing skilled talent, strengthening process excellence, and creating an ecosystem that supports sustained growth in India’s high-technology manufacturing sector.”
“This joint venture reflects a strong and forward-looking industrial partnership between Italy and India. We see India as a strategic manufacturing base for advanced composites, with the potential to serve both domestic and global markets. Through this collaboration, we are enabling technology transfer, co-development, and the creation of globally competitive capabilities that integrate Italian expertise with India’s dynamic industrial ecosystem.”
Driving India’s Aerospace Future
Aligned with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the facility contributes to the indigenisation of critical aerospace technologies and strengthens the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor ecosystem. At full capacity, it is expected to employ over 200 skilled professionals, with a strong focus on training, knowledge transfer, and advanced materials expertise.
The commissioning of the facility signals a broader transition from component manufacturing to integrated capability building and deeper integration into global aerospace supply chains.
