Magellan Aerospace Corporation (Magellan) and Aequs Private Limited (Aequs) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the development of a business plan for a 50/50 jointly owned aerospace sand casting facility in the Belagavi Aerospace Cluster (BAC), Karnataka, India. This facility aims to address the growing demand for aerospace sand castings in both the commercial and defence sectors.
India currently has a limited number of aerospace-qualified NADCAP sand casting facilities. This new venture seeks to enhance the country's capabilities while also strengthening sand casting capacity in Southeast Asia. Magellan is a recognised centre of excellence for sand casting in North America, specialising in casting complex geometries using the chemically bonded sand process. The company also utilises advanced technologies such as 3-D sand printing, robotics, digital radiography and automated differential pressure bottom pouring.
India's aerospace industry has seen rapid growth over the past decade, driven by government initiatives such as ‘Make in India' and the ‘UDAN Scheme', along with increased private sector investment and rising air traffic. India is now one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, making it an attractive location for aerospace manufacturing and support services.
Magellan and Aequs have a long-standing partnership, having established Aerospace Processing India (API) in 2007, which became the first third-party facility in India approved by both Airbus and Boeing for surface treatment solutions. In 2024, they signed another MOU to develop an aircraft engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Karnataka. This new sand casting venture further solidifies their collaboration, supporting global aerospace customers with advanced manufacturing solutions.
