The government is committed to designing and manufacturing aircraft in India with the support of industry players, announced Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Monday. The recently passed Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024, which received Lok Sabha approval in August, includes provisions to regulate aircraft design and manufacturing, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

“In the near future, we aspire to manufacture planes not only for domestic demand but also for global markets,” the minister stated.

State-owned HAL is already involved in the production of small civilian aircraft, albeit on a smaller scale.

India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally, with Indian airlines holding orders for over 1,200 aircraft. The country serves as a vital market for major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus.

Last month, Naidu announced plans to establish a special-purpose vehicle to advance the government's initiative to begin commercial aircraft manufacturing in India.