The Wakefield-based Rhodes has recently signed a 2-million pounds (20 crore) contract with the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) defence behemoth for the joint development of aerospace projects.

Leading British aerospace and defence supply chain service provider Pattonair plc will open its office in Bangalore by this year-end to help boost its supply chain in India and provide real-time services to its Indian clients.

Clegg also announced that Britain's engineering major Renishaw plc would set up a metal 3D printing centre at Pune in Maharashtra to supply products used for applications as diverse as jet engines and wind turbines.

"Renishaw is the only British firm that designs and makes industrial machines which 'print' parts from metal powder. Its Pune centre will collaborate with its key locations at Gloucestershire and Miskin in South Wales," Clegg added.

Clegg later visited the Airbus India facility in the city for a firsthand view of its advanced simulation to test aircraft parts.

The French aerospace major does computer modelling at the facility and links up live to its teams in Britain to run the tests on actual parts such as wings.

Clegg, who is on a maiden visit to India with a large trade delegation, was in New Delhi Monday and Mumbai for official and business meetings.

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