India’s first indigenous 100-seater aircraft will be manufactured in Gujarat, with the government finalising a large land parcel in the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) for the project. An official announcement is expected soon, marking the establishment of the country’s first domestic aircraft manufacturing facility.
Both the central and Gujarat governments are actively promoting Dholera as a major industrial hub, where key infrastructure such as an international airport, pilot training school, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, greenfield port, smart township, railway connectivity and strong energy networks are being developed.
The initiative, aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission and the UDAN regional connectivity programme, will see the aircraft produced through a joint venture between Adani Defence and Aerospace and global aerospace company Embraer. Land acquisition and regulatory clearances are expected to begin later this year, with manufacturing likely to start within four to five years.
Officials said Gujarat’s strong rail, road and air connectivity, along with industry-friendly policies, helped the state secure the project. The development is expected to provide a major boost to India’s Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) programme, while generating large-scale employment and creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
Gujarat has also been expanding its aerospace ecosystem. Recently, Airbus inaugurated a Centre of Excellence in Vadodara focusing on sustainable aviation research, innovation and talent development, further strengthening the state’s role in India’s growing aerospace sector.