India’s first 100-seater aircraft to be manufactured in Gujarat under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Mission to boost UDAN regional connectivity vision
India’s first 100-seater aircraft is set to be manufactured in Gujarat, with the government finalising a vast land parcel in Dholera for the project. An official announcement is expected soon, marking the country’s first indigenous aircraft manufacturing facility.
Both the central and state governments are aggressively promoting the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), where key strategic infrastructure is being developed. This includes an international airport, a pilot training school, a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, a greenfield port, a smart urban township, railway connectivity and robust energy infrastructure.
The aircraft manufacturing initiative aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission and the UDAN regional connectivity vision. A senior state government official told Mirror that Gujarat had pitched strongly to host the project in Dholera and the decision has now been taken. A formal announcement is likely in the coming weeks.
The aircraft will be manufactured through a joint venture between Adani Defence and Aerospace and global aerospace major Embraer. Formalities related to land acquisition and other clearances are expected to begin later this year, with manufacturing likely to commence in four to five years.
Gujarat’s strategic advantage in rail, road and air connectivity, coupled with the state government’s industry-friendly policies, played a key role in securing the project, the official added.
The development is expected to give a major push to India’s Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) programme. With initiatives like UDAN transforming air travel across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the need for a strong indigenous regional aviation ecosystem has become increasingly critical.
For Gujarat, the project is being seen as a major milestone, promising significant economic growth and large-scale employment generation. Small and medium enterprises are also expected to benefit substantially.
The state has been making rapid strides in the aerospace sector. Recently, Airbus inaugurated a Centre of Excellence in Vadodara, focusing on sustainable aviation research, innovation and talent development. The initiative highlights growing industry-academia collaboration and aligns with India’s broader push for green technologies, self-reliance and long-term growth in aerospace.