Turkey’s flight simulator developer and manufacturer HAVELSAN has entered the Indian aviation market and will undertake its first aircraft simulator export to India in partnership with French origin pilot training firm Simaero.
Simaero is in the process of opening its first state-of-the-art simulator training facility in India, which is expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of next calendar year. Simaero’s first facility, which is coming up near the Delhi International Airport, will have eight simulators, with HAVELSAN manufactured A320NEO simulators being the first one to be operational.
“It is our first export to the international market. We have been making simulators in the last eight years within Turkey. We have given (simulators) to Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, IFTC (International Flight Training Center) and others but for the first time outside Turkey, first export to the Indian market,” said Mehmet Akif Nacar, Chief Executive Officer at HAVELSAN on the sidelines of a formal agreement signing ceremony with Simaero in Delhi on Tuesday.
“It is our first entry into the Indian market. But we should sustain in India because the market is growing very fast and one of the largest (aviation) markets is going to be here in India….low-cost carriers need reduced cost of simulation training, so we could provide cost effectiveness,” added Mehmet Akif Nacar.
Simaero invests $100 million
Simaero’s first Indian simulator training facility is being developed at an investment of $100 million and apart from incorporating A320NEO simulator, it will house simulators which will facilitate pilot training for other widely used narrow-body aircraft, including the ATR 72-600 and Boeing 737.
“India’s aviation sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increased regional connectivity and record orders for single-aisle aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 aircraft family. Partnering with HAVELSAN to introduce the first A320NEO full-flight simulator at our Delhi facility marks the initial step in our commitment to addressing the rapidly growing demand for pilot training in the country,” said Khushbeg Jattana, General Manager of Simaero India.
Major Indian airlines have currently placed orders for more than 1,000 aircraft, which will necessitate increased need for pilot training facilities in the years to come.
Speaking to journalists, Jattana, outlined that going forward as Indian airlines start inducting more wide-body aircraft into their fleet beginning 2026-27, Simaero will also explore creating infrastructure for wide-body simulators.
The French company has also planned another $100 million investment for setting up two small satellite training centers in other cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata.