Magellan Aerospace Corporation and Aequs Private Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a 50/50 jointly owned aerospace sand casting facility in Belagavi, Karnataka. The proposed facility, located within the Belagavi Aerospace Cluster, would aim to expand sand casting capacity to support commercial and defence aerospace manufacturing.
India currently has a limited number of aerospace-qualified NADCAP sand casting facilities. The potential joint venture is expected to contribute to the region’s sand casting capabilities and strengthen the supply chain for aerospace components in Southeast Asia.
Magellan operates as a sand casting centre of excellence in North America, employing technologies such as 3D sand printing, robotics, digital radiography, and automated differential pressure bottom pouring. The company aims to leverage its expertise to meet growing aerospace industry requirements.
Aequs and Magellan have an established partnership, having set up Aerospace Processing India in 2007 as a joint venture for surface treatment solutions. In 2024, the two companies signed an MoU to explore a business plan for a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft engines in Karnataka.
Aequs Chairman and CEO Aravind Melligeri stated that the potential sand casting facility aligns with the company’s focus on vertically integrated manufacturing processes at the Belagavi Aerospace Cluster. Magellan Aerospace President and CEO Phillip Underwood highlighted the anticipated growth in the aerospace sector and the importance of infrastructure and capacity expansion.