QuEST Global, the engineering company, set up base in Bangalore in 1998 and moved into the aerospace manufacturing in 2006, having entered into a 10-year strategic relationship with Magellan Aerospace. In 2007, the firm set up the country’s first special processing facility for aerospace manufacturing, delivered the first set of A-380 components to SABCA and achieved Airbus and AS 9100 certification. The very next year, it became the first Indian private sector player qualified to offer end-to-end solutions to European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. (EADS), and set up a dedicated sheet metal fabrication facility for aerospace.

In 2009, QuEST established India’s first aerospace SEZ in Belgaum, 300 acres dedicated to offering an aerospace customer all – from design to manufacture of components and systems – in one place. QuEST Global has a manufacturing facility in Bangalore that does precision machining. Capabilities have been enhanced in the Belgaum SEZ to include additional precision machining capabilities, sheet metal work, and aerospace special processing (through a JV with Magellan Aerospace).

The company has signed MoUs with 3 major players in the aerospace manufacturing space:

• SABCA, Belgium: Airbus A-350XWB Flap track mechanism metallic parts manufacturing and assembly work from SABCA
• Magellan Aerospace: to evaluate setting up an aero-engine focused manufacturing facility with annual revenues of $50m
• Farinia SA: MOU to evaluate the establishing of an aerospace forging facility

Gensar Aerospace & IT Pvt Ltd set up a decade ago by aerospace experts providing high-end aeronautical design services (in association with Aeroconseil of France and Bertarandt of Germany), and manufacturing services, including supporting OEMs in their manufacturing outsourcing, contract manufacturing, operational consultancy and strategic consulting, and aviation services that include consulting, global procurement and product support.

Dynamatic Aerospace, which has the largest infrastructure in the private sector for manufacturing exacting Air Frame Structures and Precision Aerospace Components

Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd., the only private sector company manufacturing entire aircraft in India.Ltd., concentrating on three divisions – Aerostructures, Airfield and MRO division and Aircraft Sales and Services division.

Karnataka is also headquarters of India’s Space programme – ISRO is located at Antariksha Bhavan in Bangalore. There are excellent backward linkages with suppliers coming in from a wide base of more than 2000 SMEs in the auto components manufacturing industry. With exposure to global auto majors in the state, these firms are well geared to meet the exacting needs of the aerospace industry.

The Society of Indian Aerospace Industries and Technologies (SIATI) was formed in 1991 and is located in Bangalore. The society has about 300 small and medium scale industries as its members and enjoys the patronage of leading aerospace organisations, including of those in R&D. SIATI conducts seminars and workshops of topical interest in aerospace technologies. R&D management strategies, production, quality and also leads delegations to participate in national and international airshows, exhibitions and interactive workshops with overseas aerospace organisations and societies. SIATI also encourages entrepreneurs for joint ventures, co-development and co-production in the sector.

DRDO aeronautic centres in Bangalore:
• Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
• Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS)
• Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE)
• Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE)
• Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification
(CEMILAC)