Government Plans ₹12,511 Crore SPV for Home-Grown Regional Transport Aircraft Development
The Indian government plans to establish a ₹12,511 crore special purpose vehicle for regional transport aircraft development, with certification costs of ₹2,507 crore representing the largest expense. The project includes ₹750 crore for international partnership support and ₹1,000 crore for systems indigenisation, emphasizing domestic manufacturing capability development alongside global technical standards compliance.

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The Indian government is preparing to commit approximately ₹12,511 crore towards establishing a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for developing a regional transport aircraft, according to government sources. The proposal emphasizes certification, testing, and infrastructure development rather than focusing solely on design aspects, reflecting the complex requirements of civil aircraft manufacturing.
Project Structure and SPV Framework
The SPV is designed as a dedicated entity that will integrate government support, technical partners, and industry participants to advance the regional transport aircraft project. While the government has indicated it is "in the process" of setting up the SPV, formal launch is still pending. The vehicle will serve as the primary platform for coordinating funding, partnerships, and execution to avoid fragmenting responsibility across multiple agencies.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Project Cost | ₹12,511 crore |
| SPV Purpose | Coordinate design to production |
| International Partner Budget | ₹750 crore |
| Project Status | Under detailed examination |
Budget Allocation and Cost Structure
The financial breakdown reveals certification as the single largest expense, highlighting the technical complexity of aircraft development. The cost structure demonstrates the government's commitment to meeting international aviation standards and building domestic manufacturing capabilities.
| Expense Category | Allocation (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Certification | 2,507.00 |
| Infrastructure Facilities | 1,981.00 |
| Ground Testing Prototypes | 1,873.00 |
| Systems Indigenisation | 1,000.00 |
| Administrative Expenses | 680.00 |
| Documentation & Publication | 465.00 |
| Flight Testing Prototypes | 291.00 |
| Materials & Components | 240.00 |
| Prototype Tooling | 133.00 |
International Partnership and Technical Support
The proposal allocates ₹750 crore for engaging an international knowledge partner to provide expertise in design, certification, and flight testing consultancy. This partnership will focus on FAR-25 design support and flight testing requirements, which are essential for commercial aircraft certification under US Federal Aviation Regulations. The collaboration aims to combine domestic development capabilities with specialized external technical support for safety approvals and testing procedures.
Certification Requirements and Testing Framework
Certification costs of ₹2,507 crore represent the project's largest single expense, involving comprehensive safety validation processes. The certification process requires thousands of testing hours, detailed documentation, simulations, and real-world trials to prove aircraft safety under various operational conditions. Ground testing encompasses structural tests, fatigue assessments, and system integration checks, while flight testing involves prototype performance evaluation for safety and reliability validation.
Risk Management and Contingency Planning
The proposal includes a contingency allocation of approximately ₹480 crore, representing around 5.00% of the total project cost. Administrative and establishment expenditure is estimated at ₹680 crore, calculated at approximately 6.00% of costs excluding contingency and specific consultancy components. The plan also designates ₹1,000 crore for systems indigenisation, emphasizing the development of domestic capabilities in aircraft component manufacturing.















































