Aerospace industry in Latin America

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Airbus Proposes Sale of the A400M to Mexico with Industrial Integration Package

A21 Editorial / Friday, April 25, 2025 - 01:00
THE OFFER INCLUDES AT LEAST TWO AIRCRAFT AND OPENS THE DOOR TO STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS IN MANUFACTURING, MAINTENANCE, AND TRAINING OF NATIONAL TALENT, LIKE THE ONE ALREADY IN PLACE IN QUERÉTARO
FAMEX Airbus
During its participation in the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX) 2025, Airbus confirmed its intention to sell at least two units of the A400M military transport aircraft to the Mexican government, as part of an offer that includes not only advanced operational capabilities but also a significant industrial return for the country.

Víctor de la Vela, Vice President for Latin America at Airbus' Defense and Space division, explained that the proposal includes a collaboration strategy with the local industry, with the possibility of integrating Mexican suppliers into Airbus' global supply chain.

"We want this to be a win-win situation, where Mexico benefits from technology transfer and the development of local capabilities," he stated.


The executive explained that the Mexican authorities, in this case the armed forces, are still in the evaluation phase of the purchase proposal.

The A400M, already used by several European air forces, can perform multiple missions: heavy-lift transport, paratroop drops, medical evacuation, in-flight refueling, and tactical deployment. Thanks to its autonomy and ability to operate in extreme conditions, it has proven key in humanitarian missions, evacuations, and international deployments.

Regarding delivery times, De la Vela indicated that the standard is approximately 24 months after placing the order and delivering a first aircraft, while pilot training takes only a few months; however, the full training of a squadron for tactical operations could take up to three years.

The executive reiterated that the European airframer is ready to collaborate with the Mexican government on strategic projects, including capacity development in sectors such as satellites and aircraft maintenance, consolidating Mexico as a key ally in its long-term vision.

As part of its industrial collaboration approach, Airbus proposed that Mexico's acquisition of the A400M could be accompanied by a structured technology transfer program aimed at developing capabilities in strategic sectors.

De la Vela emphasized that Airbus is not only seeking to establish commercial relationships, but also to form long-term alliances that strengthen the Mexican aerospace ecosystem.

“We want to work with local industrial partners who not only collaborate with us but can also integrate into projects with other international players. That is the true return on value we are offering: knowledge, talent, and technological autonomy for Mexico,” he stated.

The Airbus regional executive noted that this approach is already in place at the plant in Querétaro, where components such as the A320 aircraft doors are manufactured, which are exported to Europe for final aircraft assembly.

“That is just one example. With the A400M and other programs, we could expand this model,” added de la Vela, making it clear that a greater volume of acquisitions would facilitate bringing more work to Mexico.

Propone Airbus venta del A400M a México con paquete de integración industrial

Durante su participación en la Feria Aeroespacial México (FAMEX)

a21.com.mx

 

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The Guanajuato company, Horizontec, presented at FAMEX 2025, its first aircraft of its first production batch, the Halcón 2.1, becoming the first aircraft made in Mexico that flies currently and the first to be produced in quantity in the 21st century by a Mexican company
It is priced at USD $179,000 dollars and has increased range




View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31O_ZLgjG0I



At the Mexico 2025 Aerospace Fair, Oaxaca Aerospace unveiled the Pegasus PE-210A, the first aircraft completely designed and manufactured in Mexico. This model, with a tactical, training, and surveillance focus, marks a milestone in the national aeronautical industry.

After 14 years of development and investments of nearly $30 million, the Oaxacan family-owned company is ready to begin commercial production in 2026. Annual production is estimated to reach up to 52 units, with an initial capacity of 5 to 6 aircraft per year.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYowcvw1I0c

 

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Mexico City, April 25, 2025 – Leading representatives of the Mexican aeronautical industry announced the winners of the national competition to accelerate the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) at the FAMEX Aerospace Fair. For the 2025 edition, the three finalists were:

The team from the Yucatán Scientific Research Center in Mérida proposed producing SAF from nejayote (a residue from the corn nixtamalization process) and henequen waste using the Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) route. This experimental process includes the conversion of bioethanol into SAF.

The team from the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City proposed producing SAF from Agave angustifolia. This project demonstrated that Mexico has sufficient land available to sustain production.

The CIATEC team in Guanajuato proposed the development of an alternative technology for the production of SAFs called furans to jet (FTJ), based on the conversion of agricultural waste (corn stubble, wheat straw, sorghum bagasse, and sugarcane) into bioturbosine.

The initiative, launched in January 2024, included the participation of Aeroméxico, Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA), the National Chamber of Air Transport (CANAERO), the Mexican Council for Aerospace Education (COMEA), the Mexican Federation of the Aerospace Industry (FEMIA), the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation (ICSA), Viva, and Volaris.

Líderes de la aviación mexicana anuncian los ganadores del segundo concurso de desarrollo SAF

Ciudad de México, 25 de abril de 2025 – Los principales representantes de la industria aeronáutica en México anunciaron los ganadores del concurso nacional para acelerar el desarrollo de Combustibles Sostenibles de Aviación (SAF, por sus siglas en inglés) en la Feria Aeroespacial FAMEX. Para la...

clusterindustrial.com.mx

 

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PE-210A Specifications:
Range: 1,600 km | Max. Speed: 210 knots | Endurance: 4–5 h | Payload: 350 kg | Cockpit: Tandem with 300° vertical and 240° horizontal vision | Materials: Aluminum and composites | Wing: Canard + swept main | Engine: 300 HP turbojet with ducted propeller | Avionics: Garmin G3X (customizable) Its modern and economical design makes it a strategic option for armed forces and civilian operators.

Pegasus P-400T: An advanced and versatile platform, still under development, it is designed for primary training and tactical missions such as reconnaissance, high-speed general aviation, and light attack.

P-400T Specifications: Range: 1,800 km | Max. Speed: 240 knots | Autonomy: 4–5 h- Resistance: up to 7G- Propulsion: Ducted propeller + auxiliary turbine- Structure: Tandem with panoramic vision- Reinforced retractable landing gear- Avionics: Garmin G1000 (customizable)

https://mexicoindustry.com/noticia/...imer-avion-disenado-y-manufacturado-en-mexico

The Mexican company Horizontec received the "Made in Mexico" certification for assembling a 100 percent Mexican aircraft using advanced technology and its own development. Giovanni Angelucci, the company's CEO, received this certification at the 2025 Mexican Aerospace Fair (FAMEX).

Horizontec is a Mexican company located in Celaya, Guanajuato, dedicated to designing, developing, and manufacturing aircraft using cutting-edge technology and advanced composite materials. They are the creators of the first aircraft, the Halcón 2.

Since 2014, the company has developed this technological advancement in aviation with the Halcón 1. It was in February 2024 that Horizontec received the production certificate from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) to market the Halcón 2.

"I am going to present this certificate, which you have earned with great pride. Mexico has not developed its own aircraft for many years. This aircraft will be licensed very soon. You will see it on the market," commented Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's Secretary of Economy.

Halcón 1
The flight for a dream began with the manufacture of the Halcón 1 (H1), a wooden aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kilograms and a speed of 222 km/h. The Falcon I made its first flight on September 30, 2017.

Falcon 2
A two-seat light sport aircraft (LSA), constructed of composite materials and powered by a 141 HP Rotax 915is engine. A versatile, safe, and easy-to-fly aircraft, it is designed for flight schools (training future Mexican pilots), aerial surveillance, and recreational flights.

Horizontec products feature cutting-edge engineering, and are therefore committed to meeting the highest international design and quality standards, as well as ensuring state-of-the-art design and manufacturing, using ASTM standards.

https://mexicoindustry.com/noticia/horizontec-recibe-certificado-hecho-en-mexico

In general terms Mexico has not the success of Colombia in light aviation yet, and it is far far away from Brazil`s Tucano or Preator aircraft.


However Mexico is well established in the area of suppliers building aircraft parts for big companies and landing investment in the country..

There is now a assembly and manufacture of parts of complete Leap engines by Safran in Queretaro

Safran’s recently announced $75 million investment in a new factory in Mexico is part of the French engine maker’s concerted response to meeting the exceptionally high levels of demand for the Leap engines it produces through its CFM International joint venture with GE Aviation. By the end of 2017, the new plant at Queretaro, 125 miles north of Mexico City, will start producing 3-D woven composite fan blades for the Leap turbofans. By 2021, the facility, which is being built in partnership with U.S. company Albany International, is expected to reach an annual output rate of more than 20,000 blades.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-...sts-mexico-support-massive-leap-engine-output

“With this plant, Mexico will position itself among the few countries capable of covering the entire engine lifecycle — from manufacturing parts and modules to final assembly, repair, maintenance and engine testing,” says Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines. “Since opening our plant in Querétaro, we have developed operational excellence in production and maintenance here, contributing to providing our customers with the highest standards of quality.”

https://www.compositesworld.com/news/safran-expands-leap-engine-production-capacity-in-queretaro

 

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Mexico ranks fifth in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the aerospace sector and the 12th largest exporter of components worldwide, according to the Mexican Federation of the Aerospace Industry (FEMIA).

With a market currently valued at $11.2 billion, it is expected to reach $22.7 billion by 2029, driven by annual growth of more than 15%. At the end of the first half of 2024, 386 aerospace companies operated in 19 states, with 370 specialized plants that generate more than 50,000 direct jobs and 190,000 indirect jobs, consolidating this industry as a pillar of Mexico's economic and technological development.

In this context, the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX) 2025 opened its doors from April 23 to 26 at Military Air Base No. 1 in Santa Lucía, State of Mexico. This event, considered the most important of its kind in Latin America, brought together 337 companies, representatives from 48 countries, and 73 aircraft on display, including iconic models such as the United States Air Force F-35 and the Spanish Air Force Airbus A400M. In addition, 20 partner air forces, 12 national and international universities, and diplomats from 40 nations participated.

A strategic platform for the aerospace sector

As part of Plan Mexico, FAMEX seeks to position the country as a global leader in manufacturing, technological innovation, and sustainability in the aerospace sector. The director of the Fair Committee, Disraeli Gómez Herrera, emphasized that this comprehensive effort not only promotes trade and foreign investment but also fosters the creation of highly skilled jobs. During the three-day event, conferences and business meetings will be held to strengthen international cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability in aviation, and autonomous systems, including drones.

Brazil, as the guest of honor, and Querétaro, a leading state in the Mexican aerospace industry, have a prominent presence at this edition. Additionally, the first official presentation of the Mexican Army's "Guerreros Águila" jump team will take place, complementing a program that blends technological innovation with cultural and commemorative events.

Mexico: Past, Present, and Future of Aviation

This year, the fair also celebrates the 110th anniversary of the Mexican Air Force and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, reinforcing Mexico's role as a relevant player in the history of global aviation. Beyond the commemorative events, the event reflects the exponential growth of a sector that has taken advantage of its proximity to the United States, the development of specialized clusters, and the promotion of public policies to attract foreign investment.

The impact of FAMEX transcends its mere trade fair nature, establishing itself as a platform for economic and technological opportunities. This year, it is expected to strengthen Mexico's competitiveness in the global market and reinforce its position as a key destination for aerospace manufacturing, thanks to its high standards of quality, innovation, and sustainability.

With record participation and a comprehensive program, FAMEX 2025 demonstrates that the future of the aerospace industry is closely linked to Mexico's strategic development, positioning it as an undisputed leader in aerospace manufacturing and technology worldwide.

https://mexicoindustry.com/noticia/...s-con-mayor-inversion-extranjera-aeroespacial

 

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CalculaDOA is compatible with both military and civilian applications

Agência Força Aérea – ITA, by Lieutenant Leonardo and Lieutenant Wanessa Liz

Researchers from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) developed the CalculaDOA software, through the Postgraduate Program in Operational Applications (PPGAO), which received registration with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) for its innovation in passive detection and precision in determining the direction of arrival (DOA) of enemy radar signals. Created within the scope of PPGAO, the software has applications in both the military and civilian sectors, expanding its impact and usefulness in several areas.

CalculaDOA processes and calibrates data collected by sensors installed in military aircraft during flights, contributing to the reduction of uncertainties and improving the quality of information used by the Electronic Warfare Programming and Analysis System (SPA-GE). The software’s impact was proven in an operational assessment with R-99 aircraft, conducted by the Institute of Operational Applications (IAOp), which found greater precision in locating strategic targets. In addition to its use in real operations, CalculaDOA has also been essential in training specialists, being used in the Electronic Warfare Doctrine Course (COGE), promoted by the Tactical and Specialized Instruction Group (GITE).

For the PPGAO Coordinator, Air Force Colonel Sérgio Rebouças, this is yet another concrete example of how the PPGAO reaffirms its vocation to integrate academic knowledge with the operational needs of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). “The development of solutions with a direct impact on the FAB’s operational capabilities is the essence of our program, reflecting the synergy between the operational and academic sectors,” he commented.

The Vice-Rector of Administration at ITA, Colonel Intendente Vivian Santos Gomes, highlighted the importance of researchers’ participation in favor of national development and the advancement of Brazilian defense activities. “When we combine scientific knowledge with operational needs, we create innovative solutions that strengthen our sovereignty and generate positive impacts for civil society as well,” he said.

CalculateDOA was developed by a team comprised of Air Force Captain Leandro Geraldo da Costa, Professor Felix Dieter Antreich, Professor Dimas Irion Alves, and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Marcílio Alberto de Faria Pires.

DUAL APPLICATION

Although it was created to meet the needs of the Brazilian Air Force, CalculadoA also has great potential for application in civilian sectors that use remote sensing technologies and locate signals with precision. Areas such as telecommunications, air traffic control, and environmental monitoring, for example, can benefit from this innovation, expanding the technological and economic impact of the research.

With the advances provided by CalculadoA, ITA and the Brazilian Air Force are already working on future improvements, such as improved calibration routines, a more efficient graphical interface, and integration with state-of-the-art systems. Furthermore, the expertise acquired through the project has driven new initiatives in passive detection, including the application of this technology in microsatellites, through partnerships with the Electronic Warfare Competence Center (CCGE) and the FAB Millimeter Wave Laboratory (LOM) at ITA.

https://www.defesanet.com.br/aviaca...ecisao-na-identificacao-de-sinais-de-radares/

Country : Argentina

Year : 1947

Two-seat light training aircraft

FMA I.Ae.31 Colibri

The two-seat light training monoplane I.Ae.31 Colibri ("Hummingbird") was designed and built in the late 1940s. The low-wing monoplane of conventional design, with a chassis with a non-retractable tail wheel, was equipped with a Blackburn Cirrus Major engine, but at the customer's request, it was possible to install a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine. The crew members were seated in tandem in the cockpit. The aircraft was not transferred to serial production.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

FMA I.Ae.31 Colibri

Type: two-seat light training aircraft
Flight characteristics: maximum speed 240 km / h; cruising speed 210 km / h; service ceiling 6,500 m
Weight: empty 635 kg; maximum takeoff 916 kg
Dimensions: wingspan 10.37 m; length 7.95 m; height 1.90 m
Powerplant: one four-cylinder in-line Blackburn Cirrus Major III piston engine with 155 hp (116 kW) or de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 with 145 hp (108 kW)

http://www.airwar.ru/enc/la/iae31.html