Lohia Aerospace Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel-based Massivit, a global leader in large-format additive manufacturing, to introduce large-format 3D printing technology for aerospace composite tooling in India for the first time.
The partnership will see Massivit’s advanced 3D printing platform installed at Lohia Aerospace’s manufacturing facility in Kanpur under a Joint Manufacturing Alliance. The technology will be used to manufacture composite moulds and production tools for the aerospace and defence industries.
Lohia Aerospace plans to invest $8–10 million over the next one to two years to develop the new capability. The investment will support the company’s ongoing expansion, which includes a new 250,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility alongside its existing 80,000 sq. ft. plant in Kanpur.
According to the company, the new technology can reduce tooling production time by up to 90 percent, allowing moulds and production tools to be manufactured in days instead of weeks. Each printer will be capable of producing one to two complete tool sets per day, with plans to install 8–10 printers in the near future.
The company expects the initiative to create 60 to 100 skilled jobs, with each printer requiring a dedicated team for operations, quality control, and finishing.
Speaking on the partnership, Anurag Lohia, Chairman and Managing Director of Lohia Aerospace Systems, said the alliance would strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities by reducing dependence on imported tooling while enabling faster production for domestic and international customers.
Under the agreement, Lohia Aerospace will manage manufacturing, finishing, quality assurance and customer deliveries using its ISO 9001, AS9100D and NADCAP-certified facilities. The company will also have exclusive rights to offer the technology to India’s aerospace and defence sector, including programmes involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned aircraft.
Avik Bhattacharya, President – Sales and Marketing at Lohia Aerospace, said the partnership would allow the company to provide customers with faster, more cost-effective manufacturing solutions. Commenting on the collaboration, Ziki Kuly, Chief Business Officer at Massivit, said the partnership would help scale local production of mission-critical aerospace components and tooling for India’s rapidly growing defence and aerospace market.
The companies believe the initiative will support the ‘Make in India’ programme by replacing imported composite tooling with locally manufactured solutions, while strengthening India’s position as a growing aerospace manufacturing hub.
