New Delhi, Mar 11 (KNN) Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced on Monday that the government is establishing a special purpose vehicle dedicated to manufacturing regional transport aircraft.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the minister affirmed that India now has the necessary policies in place to manufacture aircraft and their components domestically.

Responding to questions, Naidu highlighted various government initiatives to promote aircraft component manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities, including the implementation of a uniform IGST rate.

This comes as India continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, with domestic carriers having placed orders for more than 1,500 aircraft to meet increasing air traffic demand.

“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 stated during the session.

The minister elaborated on the government’s holistic approach, explaining that the planned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would operate for five years.

“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 said, adding that the goal is to manufacture the aircraft within this timeframe.

As part of the government’s Make in India initiatives, the TDP leader emphasised that states would play a crucial role in advancing these manufacturing ambitions.

Naidu also stressed the importance of skills development, noting that there are currently 38 operational Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in the country, with a focus on creating an ecosystem for manufacturing aircraft components.

In a written reply, the minister reported that the development of the indigenous 19-seater Light Transport Aircraft Saras Mk2 is currently underway at CSIR-NAL.

“The Saras Mk2 initiative has a collaboration and partnership with HAL. The aircraft has significant indigenous components and technologies like advanced composite wing, composite and light weight material airframe, avionics, display and communication system,” he added.

Naidu further stated that production and manufacturing activities for aircraft with indigenous content are envisioned to promote domestic civil aircraft component manufacturing throughout the country.

(KNN Bureau)