Mahindra Launches Novavayu Aerospace to Drive Indigenous Aircraft and Defence Manufacturing in India’s Expanding Aerospace Sector

Mahindra Group has officially launched Novavayu Aerospace Ltd (NAL), a new wholly-owned subsidiary under Mahindra Defence Systems, to manufacture aircraft and defence equipment. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company begins with an authorized capital of ₹1 crore and marks Mahindra’s strategic entry into aerospace manufacturing.

Mahindra & Mahindra has issued an official regulatory filing confirming the incorporation of Novavayu Aerospace Limited (NAL) on July 29, 2026, with the Certificate of Incorporation received on July 30, 2026. The announcement was made to the National Stock Exchange (NSE), BSE, and also notified to international exchanges.

"NAL is incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd. MDSL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra Advanced Technologies Ltd, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. Accordingly, NAL is a step-down subsidiary of the company," M&M Ltd said in a regulatory filing.

Key Highlights of Novavayu Aerospace

• Subsidiary Structure: NAL is a step-down subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, incorporated under Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd (MDSL), which itself is owned by Mahindra Advanced Technologies Ltd (MATL).
• Capital & Ownership: Authorized capital of ₹1 crore (10 lakh equity shares of ₹10 each), fully owned by Mahindra Defence Systems.
• Focus Areas: Aircraft manufacturing, aerospace products and components, defence-related systems and services.
• Strategic Intent: Expands Mahindra’s defence portfolio beyond armored vehicles, naval systems, and surveillance technology, aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

Implications for India’s Defence & Aerospace

• Strengthening Domestic Capability: Supports India’s push for indigenous aerospace manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports.
• Potential Partnerships: Mahindra could collaborate with global OEMs or Indian defence agencies.
• Investor Watchpoints: Future announcements on manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, and defence contracts will be critical.
• Revenue Lag: Aerospace ventures often take years before generating significant revenue.

Quick Comparison: Mahindra’s Defence Portfolio

Business Unit	Focus Area	Recent Expansion
Armored Vehicles	Mobility solutions for armed forces	Long-standing expertise
Naval Systems	Submarine & ship technologies	Surveillance integration
Surveillance Tech	Border & homeland security	Advanced sensors
Novavayu Aerospace	Aircraft & aerospace manufacturing	New strategic entry

Risks & Challenges

• High Capital Needs: Aerospace manufacturing requires billions in long-term investment, far beyond the initial ₹1 crore.
• Regulatory Barriers: Defence contracts demand strict compliance and testing.
• Global Competition: Competing with established players like Boeing, Airbus, and HAL will be challenging.
• Revenue Lag: Aerospace ventures often take years before generating significant revenue.

Several companies have recently debuted in aircraft and aerospace manufacturing, signaling a major global shift toward indigenous production, sustainability, and advanced mobility. Notable entrants include Tata-Airbus in India, COMAC in China, and startups like Heart Aerospace and ZeroAvia in Europe and the U.S.

Earlier, Adani Group has partnered with Brazilian aerospace major Embraer to set up a regional jet assembly line in India. The facility is planned at Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), Gujarat.The Focus will be on assembling of E2 series regional jets, catering to India’s growing demand for short‑haul connectivity.

In India, the other recent debuts in aircraft manufacturing include Tata Advanced Systems’ Airbus C295 Final Assembly Line in Vadodara (2024), HAL’s new Light Combat Helicopter production line at Tumakuru (2026), and Mahindra’s launch of Novavayu Aerospace (2026). These mark India’s strongest private‑sector and state‑sector expansions in aerospace.

GE Aerospace Achieves World’s Ist High‑Altitude Hybrid‑Electric Flight, Redefining Aviation’s Sustainable Future

GE Aerospace has successfully completed the world’s first high‑altitude hybrid‑electric aircraft flight above 30,000 feet, using a modified Saab 340B testbed with NASA, Boeing, and BETA Technologies — a milestone that could reshape the future of commercial aviation. The breakthrough was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, marking a leap toward fuel‑efficient, lower‑emission propulsion systems.

US space agency NASA played a central role in enabling GE Aerospace’s hybrid‑electric flight through decades of research and test facilities, while Airbus is advancing parallel 

hybrid‑electric integration projects in Europe under Clean Aviation programs. Together, the companies represent the U.S. and European pillars of sustainable aviation innovation.

NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project provided the framework for GE’s Saab 340B hybrid‑electric testbed. Testing was conducted at NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, simulating altitudes up to 45,000 ft.

Beside NASA and Airbus, BETA Technologies, Inc. was also a crucial partner in GE Aerospace’s hybrid‑electric aircraft flight program, serving both as systems integrator and flight operator. The company’s role bridged the gap between advanced propulsion technology and real‑world flight testing. BETA engineers integrated GE’s megawatt‑class hybrid‑electric propulsion system into the Saab 340B testbed, ensuring compatibility between gas turbine, electric drive, batteries, and propellers.

On 20 May this year, GE Aerospace’s historic hybrid‑electric test flight took off, when a modified Saab 340B reached over 30,000 ft in Vermont — later crossing the Atlantic to Farnborough Airshow for public demonstrations. This milestone capped a decade of hybrid‑electric propulsion development under NASA’s EPFD program.

In June–July 2026, the aircraft ferried across the Atlantic (via Goose Bay, Nuuk, Reykjavik) to Farnborough, UK, operating in hybrid‑electric mode. Later, on 20th of July 2026, GE Aerospace publicly unveiled this achievement at Farnborough International Airshow with daily demonstration flight

Key Details of the Flight

• Aircraft Used: Saab 340B turboprop, modified with GE’s megawatt‑class, multi‑kilovolt hybrid‑electric propulsion system.
• Altitude Achieved: Over 30,000 feet, equivalent to standard commercial cruise levels.
• Duration: Longest hybrid‑electric flight lasted over two hours.
• Partners: NASA (research validation), Boeing (Aurora Flight Sciences nacelle), BETA Technologies (systems integration, pilots), BAE Systems (battery supply).
• Public Debut: Farnborough International Airshow 2026, with daily demonstration flights.

Technical Innovations

• High‑Voltage Reliability: Solved the challenge of electrical arcing at altitude (Paschen’s Law), proving safe operation in thin air.
• Hybrid System Components: GE‑developed motor/generators, converters, inverters, controllers; Avio Aero gearboxes; Dowty propellers; Unison heat exchangers; CT7 gas turbine engine integrated with electric drive.
• Performance Gains: Improved climb capability, range extension, and battery recharge during descent.

Strategic Impact

• Commercial Aviation Future: Hybrid‑electric propulsion is part of CFM’s RISE program, targeting next‑generation aircraft like successors to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320neo.
• Environmental Benefits: Lower fuel burn, reduced emissions, and potential cost savings for airlines.
• Global Partnerships: Strengthens U.S.–Europe collaboration in aerospace innovation, with India’s aviation sector also tied to GE’s broader expansion.

Snapshot Table

Aspect	Details
Aircraft	Saab 340B modified testbed
Altitude	Above 30,000 ft
Duration	2+ hours hybrid‑electric flight
Partners	NASA, Boeing, BETA, BAE Systems
Key Innovation	High‑voltage reliability at altitude
Program Link	CFM RISE hybrid‑electric initiative

Challenges Ahead

• Battery Energy Density: Still limits scalability to larger aircraft.
• Cost & Certification: Regulatory approval and integration into commercial fleets will take years.
• Competition: Pratt & Whitney and Rolls‑Royce are developing rival hybrid‑electric systems.

After 26 Years, India’s Indigenous Tejas Mk1 Programme Set to Achieve 100-Aircraft Production Milestone by 2027

India’s Tejas Mk1 programme will cross the historic 100‑aircraft production milestone by mid‑to‑late 2027, marking the culmination of a 26‑year journey from prototype to frontline fighter. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has accelerated production despite past engine supply delays, with nearly 20 Mk1A fighters already in advanced assembly stages.

The Tejas Mk1 programme is India’s effort to build its own modern fighter jet instead of relying entirely on imports. It began in the early 1980s as part of the Light Combat Aircraft project, with the first prototype flying in 2001. Over the years, the aircraft has gone through different phases—testing, limited production, and then full operational versions. The Mk1 variant was the first to enter service, and the improved Mk1A version now includes advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and modern avionics.

Programme Journey (2001–2027)

• Technology Demonstrators (TD‑1 & TD‑2): First flight on January 4, 2001, establishing India’s entry into supersonic fighter design.
• Prototype Vehicles (PV‑1 to PV‑6): Expanded flight envelope, validated avionics, and weapon integration.
• Limited Series Production (LSP): Eight aircraft built to refine design and prepare production lines.
• IOC Standard: 16 aircraft delivered with basic combat capability.
• FOC Standard: 16 aircraft delivered with aerial refuelling, expanded weapons, and improved performance.
• Mk1A Phase (Current): Largest production run, featuring AESA radar, advanced EW suite, digital avionics, and improved maintainability.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the backbone of the Tejas Mk1 programme, responsible for manufacturing, assembling, and scaling up production to meet the Indian Air Force’s demand. HAL has expanded facilities, partnered with private industry, and resolved engine supply bottlenecks to ensure timely delivery of aircraft.

HAL is the prime contractor for the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A, handling design integration, assembly, and delivery to the Indian Air Force. HAL operates three dedicated lines—two in Bengaluru and one in Nashik—with a combined capacity of 24 aircraft annually. A “fourth line” has been created through outsourcing to private partners like VEM Technologies and Tata Advanced Systems.

GE Aerospace is the engine supplier powering India’s Tejas Mk1 programme, providing the F404‑IN20 turbofan engines and committing to long‑term sustainment through contracts, technology transfer, and an in‑country depot. Without GE’s engines, HAL cannot deliver Tejas fighters to the Indian Air Force.

In essence, HAL builds the Tejas airframes, but GE Aerospace provides the heart of the aircraft—the engine—making it indispensable to the programme’s success. While, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is manufacturing critical composite aerostructures—especially the fin and rudder assemblies—that provide stability and control during flight.

Current Production Status

• HAL Facilities: Bangalore and Nashik lines producing ~24 jets annually.
• Mk1A Fighters: Nearly 20 aircraft in advanced assembly, with jigs established up to the 32nd unit.
• Trainer Aircraft: Around 10 of 18 Mk1A trainers already in production.
• Engine Supply: GE F404‑IN20 deliveries ramping up; 7 engines received by July 2026, with 20–22 more expected by December 2026.

Strategic Significance

• IAF Squadron Strength: Helps bridge deficit (currently ~29 squadrons vs. authorised 42).
• Cost Efficiency: Mk1A is ~4× cheaper than Rafale, with 65% indigenous components.
• Export Potential: Competitive pricing positions Tejas for Asia, Africa, and Latin America markets.
• Self‑Reliance: Strengthens India’s aerospace ecosystem and MSME supply chains.

Quick Comparison Table

Phase	Aircraft Built	Key Features
TD (2001)	2	Proof of concept
PV (2001–2005)	6	Flight envelope, weapons integration
LSP (2007–2010)	8	Design refinement
IOC (2012–2016)	16	Basic combat capability
FOC (2019–2022)	16	Aerial refuelling, expanded weapons
Mk1A (2023–2027)	~42+ (in progress)	AESA radar, advanced EW, digital avionics

Risks & Challenges

• Engine Bottlenecks: Dependence on GE F404‑IN20 supply remains critical.
• Squadron Gap: Delays deepen IAF’s shortfall against authorised strength.
• Certification & Integration: Combat software validation and systems integration must keep pace with production.

Tejas Mk1 Production Timeline (2001–2027)

• 2001 – TD‑1 First Flight: India’s first indigenous supersonic fighter takes off.
• 2001–2005 – Prototype Vehicles (PV‑1 to PV‑6): Expanded envelope, avionics, weapons trials.
• 2007–2010 – Limited Series Production (LSP): Eight aircraft built to refine design.
• 2012–2016 – IOC Standard: 16 aircraft inducted with basic combat capability.
• 2019–2022 – FOC Standard: 16 aircraft delivered with aerial refuelling and expanded weapons.
• 2023–2027 – Mk1A Phase: AESA radar, advanced EW suite, digital avionics. HAL ramps up to ~24 jets annually.
• 2027 – 100th Aircraft Milestone: Culmination of 26 years of iterative development.

Comparative Analysis: Tejas Mk1A vs Rivals

Fighter	Cost	Radar	Combat Range	Indigenous Content
Tejas Mk1A	~$42M	AESA (Uttam/ELTA)	~500 km radius	~65%
Rafale	~$150M	RBE2 AESA	~1,000 km radius	~1,000 km radius/td>
Gripen E	~$85M	Raven ES‑05 AESA	~800 km radius	~40–45%

Key Takeaways

• Cost Advantage: Tejas Mk1A is 4× cheaper than Rafale, making it highly cost‑effective for squadron strength.
• Gripen Comparison: Gripen E offers longer range and advanced networking, but Tejas has stronger indigenous supply chains.
• Rafale Superiority: Rafale remains superior in payload and range, but Tejas fills the affordability and self‑reliance gap.

Strategic Outlook

• IAF Squadron Gap: Tejas Mk1A helps bridge the shortfall from 29 squadrons toward the authorised 42.
• Export Potential: Competitive pricing positions Tejas for Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• Self‑Reliance: Strengthens India’s aerospace ecosystem, MSME supply chains, and defence autonomy.

Tejas Mk1 is India’s home‑grown fighter designed to replace older jets like the MiG‑21. It’s lighter, cheaper, and increasingly built with indigenous components, making it a symbol of self‑reliance in defence. By 2027, India expects to have produced 100 of these aircraft, showing how far the programme has come in 26 years.

Bharat Forge and FLYING WHALES Seal Strategic Alliance to Build 60‑Tonne Heavy‑Lift Airships in India

• Partnership to establish Make in India production of next-generation airships for defence, strategic logistics and national security missions

Bharat Forge Limited, through its Aerospace Division, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FLYING WHALES, a French-Canadian global pioneer in heavy-lift airship technology, to jointly develop, manufacture and field, advanced airships for India’s defence and strategic operational requirements. The MoU was signed by Mr. Guru BISWAL, CEO Aerospace, Bharat Forge Limited, and Mr. Sébastien BOUGON, President, FLYING WHALES, at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026.

The partnership marks a decisive step towards building an indigenous airship ecosystem in India, aligned to the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The two companies will work towards establishing in India the manufacture, integration and production of FLYING WHALES-Bharat Forge airships for Defence applications, creating sovereign capabilities in a strategically important aerospace segment.

At the core of the collaboration is the LCA60T platform — FLYING WHALES next-generation heavy-lift airship capable of transporting up to 60 tonnes of cargo with vertical take-off and landing capability, minimal ground infrastructure requirements, and hybrid-electric propulsion. Designed for point-to-point operations in challenging and remote environments, the platform opens new possibilities for military logistics, strategic mobility and disaster response.

The partnership will explore defence applications including logistics support to forward operating bases, transportation of oversized equipment and critical military supplies, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, communication relay systems, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and rapid deployment in remote border regions and difficult terrains.

"Airships will redefine how nations move, supply and sustain their forces, and India will lead that change. This strategic partnership places India among a select group of nations with the capability to design, build and field heavy-lift airships, bringing together FLYING WHALES' pioneering technology and Bharat Forge's six decades of advanced engineering strength and deep understanding of India's defence needs. Aligned to the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we are creating a sovereign capability, a new industrial ecosystem and an entirely new dimension of strategic mobility for the nation," said Mr. Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited.

"The LCA60T was conceived to reach the world's most remote and demanding locations, and that promise finds its fullest expression in India, with its vast geography, challenging terrain and extraordinary ambition. We are delighted to partner with Bharat Forge, whose engineering depth, defence expertise and shared vision make this a true strategic alliance to take the programme to scale. Together, we will build in India, for India and for the world, laying the foundations of an airship industry that will serve this region for generations," said Mr. Tanguy Lestienne, Chief Executive Officer, FLYING WHALES SERVICES.

The proposed localisation programme is expected to generate high-technology employment, develop an advanced supply chain and create future export opportunities, further strengthening India's position as a global aerospace manufacturing hub.

The ePlane Company Completes Full‑Scale e200X eVTOL Assembly, Enters Ground Testing for Passenger, Cargo, and Air Ambulance Markets

• The completed aircraft now enters ground and flight testing, the phase that leads to certification and first operations.
• A single platform engineered for three markets, passenger air taxi, urban cargo and air ambulance, the e200X is backed by a board that includes Vishesh Rajaram (Speciale Invest), Eash Sundaram (JetBlue) and Aditya Ghosh (Homage, Akasa Air, formerly IndiGo)

The ePlane Company has completed assembly of its full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the e200X, integrating the aircraft’s core subsystems into a single structure. The completed prototype, designated PT-01, moves the e200X from design and simulation into the physical testing phase that precedes flight. The aircraft is designed as one airframe serving three markets: a passenger air taxi, an urban cargo carrier, and an air ambulance.

A completed full-scale airframe is a decisive stage in any aircraft programme, because it establishes what simulation cannot. It validates that the design can be manufactured at full size, that the tooling and supply chain to build it are in place and functioning, and that the subsystems integrate physically into a single structure. It is the stage that separates designing an aircraft from being able to test one.

The e200X will now enter ground testing, in which the structure and onboard systems are subjected to aerodynamic and mechanical loads on specialised equipment at ePlane’s facility, followed by flight testing and the pursuit of Type Certification. Developing a full-scale eVTOL is among the most demanding challenges in contemporary aerospace, and only a small number of programmes worldwide have carried a design through to a complete, full-scale aircraft. With the e200X, ePlane is among them.

The e200X has been designed and assembled at ePlane’s own facilities, with its major systems, the propellers, the airframe structure, the landing gear and the battery pack, developed in-house rather than imported as finished assemblies. In a category where many developers rely on a global supply chain, that vertical integration gives ePlane unusual control over performance, cost and iteration speed.

The company has reached this stage on roughly 21 million US dollars raised to date, a fraction of what many international eVTOL programmes have consumed. Capital-efficient engineering is central to ePlane’s strategy.

Independent analysts value the global eVTOL market at roughly 1.3 billion US dollars in 2023 and project it to reach the 20-to-30-billion-dollar range by 2030, with the broader urban air mobility market on a similar trajectory.

Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder of The ePlane Company said –

We set out to build an electric aircraft to a world-class benchmark, engineered and manufactured in depth in India for the World. We deliberately designed the e200X to be compact, because an aircraft that asks a city to rebuild itself around it will not solve the problem it was built to solve. The same airframe can move people as an air taxi, carry goods as a cargo aircraft, and save lives as an air ambulance, and it can do all three using the infrastructure cities already have. That combination of real capability and capital efficiency is how we intend to compete, and win, in markets around the world.”

ePlane’s ambition is matched by the people behind it. Its board brings together leaders who have built and scaled some of aviation’s most successful businesses: Vishesh Rajaram, Founder and Managing Director of lead investor Speciale Invest, Eash Sundaram, former Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer at JetBlue and founder of JetBlue Technology Ventures; and Aditya Ghosh, who scaled IndiGo into India’s largest airline and went on to co-found Akasa Air; Founder Prof. Satya Chakravarthy and CFO Jayakrishnan R anchor the company’s deep-technology and engineering foundation.

The problems the e200X addresses are shared across the world’s major cities. The World Health Organization estimates that road traffic crashes kill about 1.19 million people globally each year, and survival from time-critical emergencies depends heavily on the golden hour, the window after a trauma or cardiac event in which intervention most determines the outcome.

India, one of the largest emerging markets for urban air mobility, illustrates the gap acutely, recording 172,890 road-accident deaths in 2023 and ambulance availability well below WHO norms. An aircraft that lifts a patient, a passenger or a payload above congestion addresses the single variable, time, that ground mobility cannot.

ePlane will unveil the completed e200X publicly in the coming weeks and then begin a ground testing campaign, followed by flight testing of the full-scale aircraft, building on the subscale prototypes it has already flown. It will pursue Type Certification with India’s DGCA, the first regulator to accept an eVTOL into its certification process, and then seek international validations to open export markets.

First operations will begin with early commercial applications and scale across the passenger, cargo and medical markets as certification milestones are met. The programme has already drawn international recognition: ePlane, incubated at IIT Madras, is among the Indian deep-technology ventures showcased at Bharat Innovates 2026, inaugurated in France in June 2026, and was recently featured in NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang’s GTC keynote in Taipei.

Adani, Embraer to Build Jets in Gujarat’s Dholera

Adani Group and Brazil’s Embraer have reportedly chosen Dholera, Gujarat, as the site for a new aircraft assembly line, marking a major step in India’s push for indigenous aviation manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and UDAN schemes. The facility will assemble Embraer’s regional jets, but its rollout depends on securing airline commitments for aircraft orders.

It was in January this year, when Adani Group and Brazil’s Embraer had signed the deal to establish a final assembly line for regional aircraft in India. This marked Adani’s entry into aircraft manufacturing and boosting India’s ambition to become a global aviation hub.

Key Highlights

• Location: Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), near Ahmedabad, Gujarat — a planned greenfield smart industrial city.
• Partnership: Adani Defence & Aerospace + Embraer (MoU signed January 2026).
• Objective: Establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for Embraer’s regional jets in India.
• Strategic Fit: Supports India’s Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) programme, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
• Market Context: India has over 1 billion people but relatively low air travel penetration, making regional connectivity a huge growth opportunity.

Why Dholera?

• Industrial Policy: Gujarat’s new “ultra mega” industry category incentivises projects above ₹10,000 crore.
• Smart City Infrastructure: DSIR offers modern logistics, connectivity, and industrial support.
• Strategic Location: Close to Ahmedabad, with access to skilled workforce and transport hubs.

Embraer’s Vision for India

• Civil Aviation: Expanding presence in commercial jets, especially E-Jets for regional routes.
• Defence & Security: Partnerships with Indian firms (including Mahindra for C-390 Millennium transport aircraft).
• Urban Air Mobility: Exploring future opportunities in air taxis and advanced mobility solutions.
• CEO Arjan Meijer’s View: India is “the biggest market around the world” with “amazing potential,” but success requires airline commitments and a holistic approach.

Challenges & Risks

• Airline Orders: Without confirmed commitments, the assembly line may face delays.
• Revenue Complexity: India’s aviation market is fragmented, with pricing pressures and thin margins.
• Indigenisation: The partnership promises phased localisation, but supply chain integration will take time.

Strategic Impact

Factor	Details
Regional Connectivity	Supports UDAN scheme, linking smaller cities
Industrial Growth	Boosts Gujarat’s DSIR smart city development
Aerospace Capability	Advances India’s RTA programme
Global Positioning	Embraer challenges Airbus & Boeing dominance in regional jets

NVIDIA's AI Push is Reaching Aircraft, and an Indian eVTOL is Part of the Story

A central theme of Jensen Huang's COMPUTEX keynote this week was Physical AI — the convergence of AI, simulation, robotics and autonomous systems. While much of the AI boom has focused on software, NVIDIA's vision is increasingly centered on intelligent machines operating in the real world. From industrial robots and autonomous systems to digital twins and edge computing, the company is building the technology stack that will power the next generation of physical machines. Increasingly, that vision is extending beyond factories and robotics into sectors such as aerospace.

One of the companies living inside that vision is an Indian aerospace startup called The ePlane Company. Featured during Jensen Huang's keynote, ePlane represents an emerging class of companies using AI, simulation and digital-twin technologies not to build software, but to engineer systems that operate in the physical world.

With this recognition, ePlane becomes only the third eVTOL company in the world to be supported by NVIDIA, and the only one from Asia (for their certification journey).

What distinguishes this partnership from a typical technology endorsement is its depth. ePlane was the first eVTOL company globally to publicly commit to NVIDIA hardware within its onboard avionics architecture, and is now actively pursuing aircraft certification with that hardware integrated into the system. This is a foundational hardware-software co-development programme designed from the ground up to meet aviation-grade certification requirements.

"Being on Jensen's stage at GTC Taipei is not a moment we take lightly," said Prof. Satya Chakraavarthy, Founder and CEO, ePlane. "It is a signal to the world that India is not a follower in this technology cycle. We are co-developing safety-critical systems with the most consequential embedded infrastructure company on the planet, at the standards required for certified flight. That is a different conversation that speaks to the growing maturity and global relevance of India’s aerospace ecosystem.”

For ePlane, the Omniverse integration goes well beyond simulation as a tool. By building physics-accurate digital twin environments that model aircraft behaviour across a comprehensive range of flight conditions, failure modes, and edge cases, the company is able to generate simulation evidence that directly feeds into its DGCA certification pathway. The rigour matches what global aerospace leaders apply, and is now being built indigenously, in Chennai.

"Partnerships like this one do not happen by accident," said Vishnu Ramakrishnan, SVP Customer Strategy & Business Partnerships, ePlane. "They happen when a company's technology is genuinely credible at the global level. Being selected by NVIDIA as a reference for how their platform is applied in certified aviation tells our partners and investors something no pitch deck can: that the world's leading embedded infrastructure company has looked at what we are building and decided it belongs on their stage."

ePlane is currently in the Ground Test Vehicle phase of its first full-scale aircraft, with a Series C fundraise underway.

About ePlane

The ePlane Company (Ubifly Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) is an IIT Madras-incubated eVTOL company building electric air mobility solutions for India and global markets. The company is developing a compact, safety-certified electric aircraft for passenger, cargo, and emergency medical services applications. ePlane holds Design Organisation Approval from the DGCA, with its Type Certification application officially accepted. The company is backed by [key investors] and is currently in advanced stages of its Series C fundraise.

Adani and Brazil's Embraer Join Hands to Make Aircraft Locally

Adani Group and Brazil’s Embraer have signed a landmark deal to establish a final assembly line for regional aircraft in India, marking Adani’s entry into aircraft manufacturing and boosting India’s ambition to become a global aviation hub. The partnership will focus on technology transfer, skill development, and strengthening connectivity to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• Announcement Date: January 27, 2026, in New Delhi.
• Parties Involved: Adani Defence & Aerospace (part of Adani Enterprises Ltd) and Embraer SA (Brazilian aerospace major).
• Scope of Collaboration:
  • Establishment of a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for Embraer’s regional aircraft in India.
  • Focus on manufacturing, assembly, and localisation of aircraft components.
  • Development of a regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India.

Strategic Importance

• Boost to Indigenous Manufacturing: Aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative and strengthens the country’s aerospace sector.
• Technology Transfer & Skill Development: Embraer will share advanced aerospace technologies, fostering local expertise.
• Supply Chain Creation: The partnership aims to build a robust domestic supply chain for aircraft parts and systems.
• Connectivity Expansion: Designed to improve air connectivity for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, supporting regional economic growth.

Broader Impact

• India’s Aviation Market: India is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally, making this partnership timely and strategic.
• Adani’s Entry into Aerospace Manufacturing: This marks Adani Group’s first major venture into aircraft production, diversifying its portfolio beyond infrastructure and defence.
• Government Support: The deal was formalised in the presence of senior officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, underscoring strong policy backing.

Comparison: Benefits for Stakeholders

Stakeholder	Benefits
Adani Group	Entry into aerospace manufacturing, diversification, global positioning.
Embraer	Access to India’s fast-growing aviation market, localisation advantage.
India (Govt.)	Strengthened “Make in India” initiative, job creation, tech transfer.
Passengers	Improved connectivity to smaller cities, more regional flight options.

Challenges & Considerations

• Execution Risks: Setting up a new assembly line requires significant investment, regulatory approvals, and skilled workforce training.
• Global Competition: India will need to compete with established aerospace hubs like the US, Europe, and China.
• Supply Chain Reliability: Building a robust domestic supply chain will be critical to success.

L&T, GA-ASI to Manufacture Combat-Proven Drones in India Under Atmanirbhar Bharat Push

L&T and the US-headquartered General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) have entered into a strategic partnership to manufacture Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in India, for the Indian armed forces.

GA-ASI, a global leader in advanced unmanned aerial systems, brings decades of operational expertise; L&T brings extensive engineering, precision manufacturing and system integration capabilities in defence and aerospace.

L&T and GA-ASI together will deliver the combat-proven MALE RPAS platforms, manufactured entirely in India. This programme incorporates critical technology transfers and fulfilling indigenous content requirements aligned with Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

Under this partnership, L&T will participate in the upcoming 87 MALE RPAS programme of the Ministry of Defence, where L&T will be the prime bidder and GA-ASI the technology partner. The collaboration will enable the production of GA-ASI’s MQ-series RPAS that are combat proven. These are widely operational across the globe with millions of flight hours in surveillance and strike missions.

The partnership marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of a self-reliant defence ecosystem, strengthening Indo-US defence collaboration and fostering a competitive, globally integrated aerospace manufacturing base.

Commenting on the development, S N Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T, said: “This partnership offers India a unique opportunity to manufacture state-of-the- art unmanned platforms indigenously. We are proud to join hands with GA-ASI, a recognised world leader in this domain, and are confident that this alliance will significantly enhance India’s defence capabilities and advance self-reliance in aerospace technologies”.

Dr Vivek Lall, Chief Executive, General Atomics Global Corporation, said: "We are honoured to serve the Indian market in partnership with Larsen & Toubro, a trusted and capable leader in India’s defence sector. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to supporting India’s vision for self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing in aerospace. By combining GA-ASI’s proven technology with L&T’s robust manufacturing expertise, we aim to deliver cutting-edge MALE RPAS solutions that will enhance the operational readiness of the Indian armed forces and contribute to a strong, sustainable defence ecosystem in India".

Standard Chartered, Bank of India Lead $215M Aircraft Financing for Air India Subsidiary at GIFT City

• Standard Chartered and Bank of India structure a 7-year facility for six Boeing 777s via Air India’s leasing arm AIFS, marking a milestone for GIFT City’s financial ecosystem.

Standard Chartered and Bank of India today announced the financing of USD 215 million term loan to AI Fleet Services IFCS Limited (AIFS), a leasing subsidiary of Air India, based in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). AIFS has entered into a 7-year amortising term loan facility for financing of six Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, it will lease the aircraft to Air India.

Air India is undergoing a fleet renewal and expansion program to support its transformation into a world-class global airline. Air India currently serves 55 domestic and 45 international destinations.

Standard Chartered played a lead role as a Structuring Bank. Both Bank of India and Standard Chartered also jointly underwrote the transaction as Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner (“MLAB”). This landmark transaction is the first commercial aircraft finance transaction to be structured with a GIFT City borrower, positioning GIFT City as an emerging aviation finance centre. The transaction reflects the shared commitment of Standard Chartered and Bank of India to support India’s aviation growth story and highlights GIFT City’s role as a growing global aviation finance hub.

GIFT City is India’s first operational greenfield smart city and international financial services centre, promoted by Government of Gujarat in partnership with Government of India as a flagship project to position India on the global financial map. With this transaction, it marks a milestone for India’s rapidly expanding role in global aviation financing, strengthening its position as an emerging hub for aircraft leasing and financing.

Sanjay Sharma, Chairman, AIFS & Chief Financial Officer, Air India said, “Air India has embarked on a five-year transformation journey, placing an order for 570 aircraft, and GIFT City will be important for financing of these aircraft. With this commercial aircraft finance transaction via Standard Chartered and Bank of India we are glad to see GIFT City maturing further and emerging as an aircraft leasing and financing option for airlines as Indian aviation takes strides.”

Abhishek Pandey, Global Head of Transportation Finance at Standard Chartered, said, “This milestone demonstrates our ability to structure innovative, jurisdiction-aligned solutions while mobilising new pools of capital. This financing highlights our long-standing expertise in aviation finance and our commitment to supporting India’s aviation sector as it continues its remarkable growth trajectory.”

PD Singh, CEO, India and South Asia at Standard Chartered, said, “The first ever commercial aviation financing at GIFT City is an historic milestone and further reinforces GIFT city as an aviation finance hub of global repute. Standard Chartered is privileged to have led the transaction, in partnership with Bank of India. We believe the term loan facility to AI fleet services (AIFS), a subsidiary of Air India will provide a fillip to growing the aviation finance segment in India. It also underscores the Bank’s client centric approach and the endeavour to be an equal partner in the clients’ growth journey.

Standard Chartered was the first foreign bank to establish a branch in GIFT City and this transaction reaffirms our commitment to advancing GIFT city as a premier international financial hub. It is a matter of pride for Standard Chartered to have recently partnered with CCIL and IFSCA in bringing its global experience and expertise in managing the dollar payments as well as providing settlement services at GIFT IFSC,” Singh added.

Ashutosh Sharma, CGM – International Financial Services Centres Authority, GIFT City (IFSCA) said, "GIFT IFSC is developing strongly as a globally competitive ecosystem for financial services, including aircraft leasing and financing. The successful closure of this aircraft financing deal, originated within GIFT IFSC and executed among Bank of India (IBU GIFT City branch), Standard Chartered Bank, and AI Fleet Services IFSC Limited for wide-body commercial aircraft, marks a significant milestone. This transaction not only paves the way for future commercial aircraft financing through the GIFT City framework but also underscores GIFT IFSC’s emerging role as a growing hub for aviation financing and a destination offering competitive foreign currency loan structures."

Bank of India said, “At Bank of India, we are proud to be part of this landmark aviation financing transaction through GIFT City, Gujarat. This initiative underscores GIFT City’s growing significance as a global hub for aircraft financing. Aviation finance is a key enabler for India’s economic growth, connecting people, businesses, and markets worldwide. By leveraging the opportunities at GIFT City, Bank of India reaffirms its commitment to strengthening India’s presence in international financial services and contributing to the nation’s vision of becoming a leader in global aviation finance.”

Godrej Enterprises Group's Aerospace Biz Wins Pratt & Whitney Contract, Boosting India’s Global Role in Aerospace Manufacturing

The Aerospace business of Godrej Enterprises Group has received a contract award from Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, and a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units, to manufacture complex aerospace parts for aircraft engine applications.

This milestone reinforces Godrej's commitment to advancing India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities and aligns with its vision to become a key supplier to global aircraft engine OEMs. The contract will significantly expand the company’s offerings in aircraft engine applications, both in terms of technology and production volumes.

"For decades, Godrej has been at the forefront of high-precision manufacturing, contributing to India's aerospace ambitions and self-reliance in critical technologies. This contract with Pratt & Whitney is not just a business milestone- it is a testament to India's rising capabilities in complex aerospace manufacturing," said Maneck Behramkamdin, Business Head, Aerospace business, a part of Godrej Enterprises Group. “By leveraging our advanced infrastructure, deep expertise, and commitment to global quality standards, we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of aviation manufacturing in India. We look forward to strengthening this relationship and expanding our footprint in the global aerospace supply chain.”

With this contract, Godrej Enterprises Group continues to expand its presence in precision aerospace manufacturing, reinforcing its role as a trusted supplier to global OEMs. Godrej Enterprises Group has a total of around 35,000 sq. meters aerospace manufacturing capacity in India with another 48,500 sq. meters under development. This is in line with the company’s vision to enable and elevate India’s manufacturing capabilities at a global level.

Tata Advanced Systems Buys 7.4 Lakh Sq Ft Land in Karnataka for Aircraft Manufacturing

Tata Advanced Systems has acquired 7.4 lakh square feet of land in Karnataka’s Vemgal Industrial Area for ₹29.34 crore. The land will be used for aircraft manufacturing, including final assembly, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

The Tata Group company purchased the land from the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) under a lease-cum-sale agreement registered on February 24, 2025.

This move aligns with India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, strengthening domestic aerospace capabilities and boosting employment. Karnataka has been a preferred destination for aerospace investments, with Bengaluru already serving as a major hub for aviation and defense technology.

Key Details:

• Location: Vemgal Industrial Area, Karnataka, near Kolar-Chikkaballapur Road (SH-96).
• Transaction Type: Lease-cum-sale agreement registered on February 24, 2025.
• Stamp Duty Paid: ₹1.5 crores
• Cost per Acre: ₹1.7 crore.
• Lease Term: 10 years, with an annual rent of ₹17,011 and maintenance charges of ₹2.55 lakh.
• Industrial Area Size: 666 acres.
• Strategic Importance: Supports India’s defense aviation sector, strengthens self-reliance, and enhances global aerospace collaborations.

Why Karnataka?

Karnataka has been a preferred destination for aerospace investments, with Bengaluru already serving as a major hub for aviation and defense technology. The state’s progressive policies, skilled workforce, and strong infrastructure make it attractive for high-value manufacturing.

According to Government reports, the Aerospace industry has the potential to reach $70 billion by 2030.

The government's push for self-reliance and initiatives like Make in India are attracting foreign investments, leading to international partnerships with countries like France, Russia, and the U.S.