SOURCE: AFI
Martin-Baker, the world-renowned British manufacturer of ejection seats and aviation safety systems, is set to deepen its footprint in India with the establishment of a new facility in Bengaluru, scheduled to open later in 2025.
This development marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to supporting the Indian Air Force (IAF) and aligns with India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defense manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative. The announcement was made by Steve Roberts, Head of Business Development at Martin-Baker, during an interview with FlightGlobal at the Aero India 2025 air show, held from February 10-14 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.
The new Bengaluru facility will serve as a dedicated center for the maintenance and manufacture of ejection seats tailored to the needs of the IAF. Bengaluru, often referred to as India’s “Silicon Valley,” is a strategic choice due to its established aerospace ecosystem, proximity to key defense organizations like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and its role as a hub for research and development in aviation technology. The facility will enhance Martin-Baker’s ability to provide localized support, reduce turnaround times for maintenance, and contribute to India’s defense self-reliance goals.
Steve Roberts emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, “The new facility in Bengaluru will allow us to maintain and manufacture ejection seats for the Indian Air Force, ensuring that we can meet their operational requirements efficiently and effectively.” He added, “This move reflects our long-term commitment to India, a key market with a growing aerospace sector, and our desire to strengthen our partnership with the IAF.”
Martin-Baker has a long-standing relationship with the IAF, with its ejection seats integrated into several aircraft in the Indian fleet. The company’s products are renowned for their reliability and have been credited with saving thousands of pilots’ lives worldwide since the first successful ejection in 1949. In India, Martin-Baker ejection seats are currently fitted on platforms such as the BAE Systems Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), used for training IAF pilots, and the SEPECAT Jaguar, a deep-penetration strike aircraft that has been a mainstay of the IAF since the late 1970s.
The new facility will focus on maintaining these existing systems while also manufacturing ejection seats for future platforms. With the IAF modernizing its fleet and inducting new aircraft, such as the Tejas Mk1A and potentially the Tejas MkII, there is a growing demand for advanced safety systems. Martin-Baker’s ejection seats, such as the Mk16 series, are designed to operate across a wide range of speeds and altitudes, making them suitable for both current and next-generation fighters.
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