In a major boost to India’s aerospace ambitions, the government has chosen Gujarat’s Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) as the site for manufacturing the country’s first indigenous 100-seater passenger aircraft under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission — a move that could transform regional aviation and domestic manufacturing.
The initiative is part of the broader UDAN regional connectivity vision, aimed at enhancing air travel to smaller towns and cities. Officials say a formal announcement is likely soon, with land allocation and clearances to begin later this year.
Why Dholera? A Strategic Aerospace Hub in the Making
The Dholera region, already positioned as a future industrial powerhouse, is rapidly being developed with world-class infrastructure. Alongside the aircraft project, plans include an international airport, pilot training schools, a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, a greenfield port, and improved rail, road and energy connectivity — all geared toward nurturing an aerospace ecosystem.
Officials indicate that Gujarat’s supportive policies and strategic location played a key role in securing the project, which is expected to generate large-scale employment and economic growth as ancillary industries and small-medium enterprises benefit from the aerospace supply chain.
Partnership with Global Aerospace Major
The aircraft manufacturing venture will be executed as a joint venture between Adani Defence and Aerospace and Brazil’s Embraer, combining domestic production capacity with global aerospace expertise. Formalities like land acquisition and regulatory approvals are set to begin later this year, with manufacturing expected to start within four to five years.
This partnership reflects India’s evolving aerospace strategy — one that blends foreign direct investment and technology transfer with local manufacturing scale-up under the government’s self-reliance initiatives.
Boosting Regional Air Connectivity and UDAN
The indigenous aircraft project aligns with UDAN’s goals to democratise air travel by enabling more flights to underserved destinations. By building aircraft tailored for regional routes, India seeks to reduce dependence on imported jets and cut operational costs for airlines operating in smaller markets.
Experts say that a domestically manufactured passenger aircraft could spur competition, reduce operational costs for airlines on short-haul routes, and accelerate India’s integration into the global aviation manufacturing network.
Long-Term Aviation Impact
With production slated to start half a decade from now, the initiative is not just about building planes — it’s about fostering a homegrown aerospace supply ecosystem, creating jobs, enhancing skill development, and positioning India as a future aerospace manufacturing hub.
