Airbus Helicopters and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the principal financial institution of the Government of India for promoting, financing, and developing the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to finance the acquisition of Airbus helicopters in India. This partnership signifies SIDBI's expansion into helicopter financing and its commitment to meeting the financial and developmental requirements of India's burgeoning rotary wing sector, according to a recent press statement by the European aerospace leader.

Established by an Act of Parliament in 1990, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is entrusted with the crucial role of being the Principal Financial Institution. Its mandate encompasses promoting, financing, and developing the MSME sector, as well as coordinating the efforts of other institutions with similar objectives. SIDBI aspires to become a comprehensive solution provider for the financial and developmental requirements of the MSME sector, aiming to fortify it, enhance its global competitiveness, and streamline processes to position SIDBI as the preferred and customer-centric institution. Additionally, it seeks to boost shareholder wealth and uphold the highest corporate standards through the integration of modern technology platforms.

Rahul Priyadarshi, Chief General Manager of SIDBI, and Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters for India and South Asia, formally signed the MoU. This agreement outlines the collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and SIDBI to identify prospective civil helicopter operators in India seeking financing options for acquiring Airbus helicopters. While Airbus will contribute its technical expertise and industry insights, SIDBI will assess these potential operators and provide exclusive financing solutions tailored for Airbus helicopters.

“The MoU with SIDBI opens a new chapter in making civil helicopters more accessible to operators in India, which will further position these rotary wing aircraft as a critical tool for nation building. Combining our unmatched product portfolio and industry expertise with SIDBI’s attractive financing solutions will play a pivotal role in the expansion of the civil helicopter market in India”, said Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters, India and South Asia. Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Priyadarshi, Chief General Manager, SIDBI, said, “This is a new area for SIDBI to finance helicopter operators and is expected to open new avenues for financing MSMEs related to this segment".