Vadodara: Global aerospace leader Airbus is set to establish a Research & Development Centre of Excellence at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Gujarat.

Jürgen Westermeier, Airbus MD, informed Union Minister of Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during a meeting on Thursday that the company sources components worth over $1 billion annually from more than 100 Indian suppliers.

According to Airbus, the company contributes to India’s economy by sourcing over €1 billion in components and services each year for global exports.

Airbus has already set up a Digital Centre in Bengaluru, described as the backbone of its digital transformation, which is now the second-largest such facility after its Toulouse headquarters. Across its various Indian sites, Airbus employs over 3,600 people, including 1,500+ skilled IT professionals providing critical IT solutions.

In a statement, Airbus highlighted its local operations in sourcing, engineering, innovation, maintenance, and training as proof of its commitment to strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem. Recognizing India as a strategic hub for emerging technologies, the company praised the country’s “world-class talent and R&D capabilities powering the aerospace sector.” DeshGujarat