India, Feb. 3 -- Adani Defence & Aerospace on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian firm Leonardo to set up a helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India to meet the growing needs of the armed forces and boost self-reliance in the defence sector.

The partnership will target the requirements of the Indian military, particularly for Leonardo's AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters, and deliver phased indigenisation, robust maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and comprehensive pilot training, the two firms said in a joint statement.

The MoU was signed in the presence of defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and director general (acquisition) A Anbarasu, signalling the government's commitment to boosting...