In November 2023, Merlinhawk Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an Indian aerospace and defense engineering company, entered into a joint venture with Vega Composites S.r.l., an Italian firm specializing in advanced composite materials. The collaboration aims to establish a manufacturing and design facility in Tamil Nadu’s Defense Corridor by 2025, under the name Merlinhawk Composites and Engineering Private Limited.
This strategic partnership seeks to address the growing demand for composite-based products across various sectors, including aerospace, maritime, land, railway, hydrogen storage, and fuel cells, in India and Southeast Asia. The facility will focus on providing advanced solutions in composite materials, leveraging the expertise of both companies to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities in these critical industries.
The joint venture was formalized in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Neena Malhotra, Ambassador of India to Italy and San Marino, highlighting the strengthening of defense cooperation between India and Italy. Dr. Malhotra emphasized the significance of this collaboration, noting that it is the first such agreement between an Italian and Indian company following the recent defense cooperation agreement between the two nations.
By leveraging Vega Composites’ expertise in advanced composite materials and Merlinhawk Aerospace’s engineering capabilities, the joint venture aims to contribute to India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The establishment of this facility is expected to create employment opportunities, foster technological advancements, and bolster the defense manufacturing ecosystem in Tamil Nadu.
