Aeronautical Development Agency and Mishra Dhatu Nigam sign MoU for high-strength steel

On February 16, 2025, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) based in Bengaluru and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) from Hyderabad signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the indigenous development of high-strength, high-toughness special steel for aerospace applications. This collaboration aims to support the growing needs of India's aerospace industry.

The ADA, the key organization responsible for combat aircraft development in India, has developed strategic partnerships with several organizations, including HAL, DRDO Laboratories, CSIR Labs, the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Navy, and various academic institutions. These collaborations have contributed significantly to ADA’s successful programs, including the LCA-Tejas fighter jet.

MIDHANI, a leading defense public sector undertaking (PSU), specializes in producing special metals and alloys, and has been integral to ADA's efforts to create materials required for indigenous aircraft development. These materials aim to achieve self-sufficiency in aeronautical engineering.

The newly developed steel, MDN100, is particularly promising for use in stressed aircraft components, offering benefits such as weight savings and good forgeability. This is expected to enhance the performance and efficiency of future Indian aircraft models. The MoU was signed during Aero India 2025, reinforcing India’s commitment to advancing aerospace technology.