India's Civil Aviation Minister Hints at Domestic Commercial Aircraft Production
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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed India's plan to build its own commercial aircraft with Russian and Brazilian partners, aiming for domestic production.
India is actively pursuing a major shift in its aviation strategy.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed this goal at Davos. The ultimate objective is to manufacture a full aircraft from scratch in India, moving beyond imports. Naidu pointed out that Indian carriers have placed orders for around 1,700 aircraft. These planes are currently sourced from global giants like Airbus and Boeing. The Minister questioned why India cannot build its own aircraft to meet this massive demand.
Domestic Aircraft Assembly and Manufacturing
India commercial aircraft manufacturing efforts are now underway. The government is focusing on technology transfer through key international partnerships. A major effort involves Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia.
The Sukhoi Superjet Initiative
HAL and Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) have a partnership. This agreement focuses on manufacturing the Sukhoi Superjet assembly line (SJ-100) in India. The SJ-100 is a regional jet designed for short-haul routes. This project marks India's return to civil airliner production after decades. The aircraft fits well with the regional connectivity UDAN scheme. It aims to link smaller cities through affordable air travel. The Minister stated that an assembly line announcement is coming "very soon."
Private Sector Investment
Private industry is also deepening its involvement in the sector. Naidu confirmed that Adani is working with Brazil's Embraer. This Adani Embraer partnership supports the broader goal of domestic aerospace manufacturing. The Adani Group is already making large investments in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. This infrastructure is vital to support the incoming fleet of 1,700 aircraft. India's aerospace component manufacturing is targeted to reach $4 billion by 2030.
Expanding Civil Helicopter Operations
The push for self-reliance extends to the rotorcraft sector. Naidu highlighted a major milestone for HAL civil helicopter engine production. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certified the indigenous Shakti civil engine. This is the first aero engine certified for domestic civil production. The engine powers the 5.5-tonne Dhruv New Generation (Dhruv-NG) helicopter. The Dhruv-NG completed its inaugural flight in December 2025. It is expected to receive full civil certification within months. The government is also expanding helicopter operations under the UDAN scheme. A separate directorate for helicopters was created to streamline clearances. This new focus supports heli-tourism and emergency medical services.
Strategic Airspace and New Flight Hubs
India is also addressing geopolitical challenges to flight operations. The closure of Pakistani airspace has forced Indian airlines to reroute. This adds significant time and fuel costs to flights to Europe and North America.
The Minister revealed plans to establish a new Gujarat flight hub. This hub would use airports near Dholera and Rajkot. The goal is to optimize routes by bypassing Pakistani airspace. Officials are exploring options, including routes over the Himalayas and across China. This move aims to create a more resilient and efficient air traffic network. It would reduce the operational impact on carriers like Air India and IndiGo.
The Industry Impact
These initiatives signal a profound shift in India's aviation role. The focus is moving from solely being a major customer to becoming a global manufacturer. Domestic aerospace manufacturing will create thousands of skilled jobs. It will also reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The new flight hubs in Gujarat will improve air traffic flow. This will shorten international travel times and lower airline operating costs. The combined effort aims to build a robust, self-reliant, and globally competitive aviation ecosystem in India.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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