AAI, Apogee Aerospace partner to bring Albatross 2.0 amphibious aircraft to India; Rs. 3,500-cr programme announced

New Delhi, February 5. Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Hyderabad-based Apogee Aerospace Pvt Ltd to establish amphibious aviation as a key strategic capability for India, anchored by the Albatross 2.0 amphibious aircraft platform.

AAI, a subsidiary of Amphibian Aircraft Holdings (AAH), said Apogee Aerospace has been appointed as its exclusive authorised representative partner for the Indian subcontinent in the Restricted Category, covering defence and government requirements. The partnership spans maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), training and capability development, simulation, end-to-end systems integration for military applications, and the establishment of aircraft tail-section manufacturing in India to support the global supply chain.

The Albatross 2.0 is described as the world’s first and only FAA- or EASA-certified transport category amphibious aircraft in the registered passenger transport (RPT) segment with seating for more than 19 passengers, configurable up to 28 seats. The aircraft is designed to operate from land, water, snow and ice, and in open-sea conditions with wave heights of up to six to eight feet.

“India is uniquely positioned to lead the next chapter of amphibious aviation, and this collaboration is a decisive step in that direction,” AAI Founder and Executive Chairman Khoa Hoang said while addressing the media here on February 5. “With Albatross 2.0, we are bringing fully certified transport-category capability that can immediately serve India’s military and paramilitaries, government, and strategic civil aviation needs. Partnering with Apogee Aerospace allows us to go far beyond aircraft delivery, focusing on deep industrialisation, systems integration, skills development, and long-term sovereign capability. Through this partnership with Apogee Aerospace, our focus is on deep industrial integration, indigenous capability development, and establishing India as a centre for amphibious aviation operations, sustainment, and future growth.”

According to Gopi Reddy, President and CEO of AAI, this is the first modernised Albatross that will fly in India.

“It will serve both military and civilian requirements,” Reddy said.

AAI and Apogee will jointly promote and operationalise the Albatross 2.0 for defence, government and strategic civil applications. With features such as a 188-cm standing cabin height, dedicated luggage compartment, washroom and equipped galley, the aircraft is positioned as a full transport-category solution rather than a niche seaplane. The platform is expected to be particularly relevant for India’s long coastline, island territories, riverine geography, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, and joint military operations, while aligning with initiatives such as the Sagarmala Programme and enhanced maritime domain awareness.

Apogee Aerospace Chairman and Managing Director Wg Cdr MVN Sai (Retd) described the Albatross as a “force multiplier,” stating that it fundamentally redefines launch and recovery options for air power and provides strategic insurance for the protection of India’s sea lanes of communication.

“The versatility of the platform enables operations across dimensions and verticals that previously required a combination of platforms to accomplish,” Sai said. “This intervention provides India with strategic insurance to its status as one of the world’s leading economies through the assured maintenance of its sea lanes of communication. We are witnessing the beginning of a new epoch in India’s glorious air power history.”

As part of the collaboration, Apogee Aerospace has placed an order for 15 Albatross 2.0 aircraft, with an estimated programme value of about Rs. 3,500 crore. The company will also invest up to Rs. 500 crore to set up tail-section manufacturing, MRO facilities, training and simulation infrastructure, and advanced systems integration capabilities in India. These facilities will support the development of indigenised military variants for the Indian Armed Forces.

In addition, Apogee has invested $7 million (around Rs. 65 crore) in Amphibian Aircraft Holdings, the parent company of AAI, signalling long-term strategic alignment between the two firms.

AAI said it is on track to become one of only eight FAA- or EASA-certified transport category aircraft manufacturers in the RPT sector globally, alongside companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and ATR. The initiative also aligns with recent Union Budget policy signals indicating government support for seaplane and amphibious aircraft manufacturing, MRO and ecosystem development.

Through the partnership, AAI and Apogee Aerospace aim to position India as a global hub for amphibious aircraft manufacturing, sustainment, training and exports, while delivering a future-ready aerospace capability aligned with India’s long-term strategic and industrial ambitions.