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India Boosts Indigenous Aviation with Hansa-3(NG) Production and SARAS Mk 2 Progress

Bengaluru, India – November 29, 2025 – India took significant steps towards bolstering its domestic aviation industry today with the launch of the production version of the indigenous Hansa-3(NG) trainer aircraft and progress on the SARAS Mk 2 light transport aircraft.

The Hansa-3(NG), developed by the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), is a two-seater trainer aircraft designed to meet the growing demand for pilot training. Mumbai-based M/s Pioneer Clean Amps has commenced manufacturing the aircraft at a new ₹150 crore facility in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, with a planned production capacity of 100 aircraft annually.

“India will need nearly 30,000 pilots in the next 15–20 years, and Hansa-3(NG) represents a critical step towards fulfilling this domestic requirement through fully indigenous technology,” said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, during the inaugural function in Bengaluru. He emphasized that the initiative would reduce reliance on foreign trainer aircraft and create new opportunities in the aviation sector.

The CSIR-NAL is also advancing its development of the 19-seater Light Transport Aircraft SARAS Mk 2, designed for both civilian and military operations. The aircraft features a pressurized cabin, digital avionics, and other advanced technologies to enhance regional connectivity and address India’s need for a short-haul passenger aircraft.

Minister Singh also inaugurated the Iron Bird Facility for SARAS Mk 2, which will serve as a platform for full-system integration, ground testing, and validation of aircraft subsystems. He noted that such facilities would reduce flight-testing risks and accelerate development timelines.

Furthermore, a dedicated manufacturing facility for High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) was inaugurated, marking India’s entry into the development of solar-powered unmanned aircraft capable of long-endurance missions above 20 km altitude.

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