By Aroonim Bhuyan
NEW DELHI. In a significant boost to India’s aviation sector, Sakthi Aircraft Industry Private Limited (SAIPL) and the Aero Club of India (ACI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 11 to manufacture 200 Diamond DA40 NG trainer aircraft domestically. This partnership marks the firstever private manufacturing initiative for trainer aircraft in the country and aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to enhance self-reliance in aviation.
The agreement aims to revolutionise commercial pilot training by providing a steady and cost-effective supply of training aircraft to flight training organisations (FTOs) nationwide. ACI will act as the central aggregator, managing demand, allocating aircraft, and facilitating leasing arrangements to make pilot training more accessible.
SAIPL, in collaboration with Austria’s Diamond Aircraft Industries, will establish a cutting-edge production facility in India. The first aircraft are expected to be delivered by May 2025, with production ramping up to 100 aircraft annually.
“We are looking at delivering the first batch of aircraft by May-June 2025,” M Manickam, Chairman of SAIPL, told India Strategic. “This year, we are targeting for 50 aircraft. From next year, we will be doing 100 aircraft per year.”
This initiative represents the largest trainer aircraft order in India, significantly strengthening the country’s flight training infrastructure. The deployment of DA40 NG aircraft is expected to train approximately 1,000 pilots annually, with an estimated 10,000 pilots trained over the next decade.
ACI’s role in facilitating aircraft leasing will help FTOs reduce financial burdens and expand their training capacity, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled pilots to meet the growing demand in commercial aviation.
The agreement is poised to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, further strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem. By manufacturing the DA40 NG locally, the initiative reduces dependency on imports, fosters aerospace innovation, and contributes to the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu hailed the partnership as a milestone in India’s aviation growth.
“This development underscores our growing capabilities in aerospace manufacturing and reinforces India’s position as a hub for flight training,” he said after he witnessed the signing of the MoU.
He said that the MoU is a significant milestone in making India a global hub in training pilots.
“Manufacturing of training aircraft is the backbone of FTOs,” Naidu said. “This project will be a game-changer.”
ACI President Rajiv Pratap Rudy, emphasising the significance of the initiative, stated: “By ensuring a reliable supply of trainer aircraft, we are addressing the critical need for skilled pilots and supporting India’s aviation expansion.”
SAIPL CEO Vaibhav D expressed confidence in the project’s impact, noting that local manufacturing of the DA40 NG will enhance pilot training efficiency while fostering job creation and technological advancements.
“Sakthi will make available the full range of Diamond aircraft models,” Vaibhav said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the MoU signing event, Vaibhav said that the initial 50 aircraft will be imported as complete knocked-down (CKD) units from Diamond Aircraft’s existing facilities in Austria and Canada. These will then be assembled in India.
He further stated that the full manufacturing facility for the trainer aircraft is likely to come up at Hisar in Haryana. Once the full assembly line (FAL) comes up, the SAIPL-Diamond Aircraft joint venture will look to produce 100 aircraft per year. This is in anticipation of high demand from other flying schools across the country.
The Diamond DA40 NG is a modern, single-engine, four-seat aircraft known for its efficiency, safety, and advanced avionics. Equipped with an Austro Engine AE300 turbocharged diesel engine and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, the aircraft offers enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced operational costs, and superior flight training capabilities.
With this landmark initiative, India has taken a crucial step toward self-sufficiency in aviation manufacturing, ensuring a robust and future-ready ecosystem for pilot training and aerospace innovation.
