The Indian government is taking significant steps towards establishing itself as a self-reliant player in the global aviation industry.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said on Monday that the government is in the process of setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) aimed at manufacturing regional transport aircraft.
During a session in the Rajya Sabha, Naidu assured that India is ready to embark on manufacturing its own aircraft, alongside designing and maintaining them. He highlighted that the necessary policies are already in place to make this vision a reality.
“We have changed the thought process that we have when it comes to manufacturing of aircraft. We are saying that India is at the stage right now where we can manufacture, we can design and we can maintain an aircraft,” Naidu said.
India’s aviation market is currently one of the fastest-growing in the world, with domestic airlines having already placed orders for over 1,500 aircraft to meet the surging demand for air travel. The government is now focused on building a local manufacturing ecosystem that can support this growth.
The government’s approach is comprehensive, with an emphasis on collaboration across multiple stakeholders, including state governments. Naidu detailed plans for a five-year timeline to create the SPV, which will focus on manufacturing regional transport aircraft.
“We have a plan to create an SPV for five years, which is going to bring in all the necessary stakeholders… study the existing picture in the country and create a road map,” he explained. The goal is to begin production within this fiveyear period, aligning with the government’s broader “Make in India” initiative.
Naidu also stressed the importance of developing skills within the workforce to meet the demands of this growing industry. He pointed out that India already has 58 Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) working to prepare future aviation professionals.
The government plans to enhance this ecosystem to ensure that all aspects of aircraft manufacturing, including components and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) activities, are well-supported.
As part of the effort to promote indigenous aviation technologies, Naidu provided an update on the progress of the Saras Mk2, a 19-seater Light Transport Aircraft under development by CSIR-NAL, in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The Saras Mk2 incorporates significant indigenous components, including advanced composite wings, lightweight materials for the airframe, and cutting-edge avionics. Naidu remarked, “The Saras Mk2 initiative has a collaboration and partnership with HAL.
The aircraft has significant indigenous components and technologies like advanced composite wings, composite and lightweight material airframes, avionics, display, and communication systems.”
The development of such aircraft is not only a step forward for India’s aerospace industry but also a part of a larger strategy to bolster domestic civil aircraft component manufacturing.
Naidu’s remarks signal a clear government focus on transforming India into a hub for aviation manufacturing. The efforts aim to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign aircraft manufacturers and build a robust supply chain for the aviation industry within India.
