Sarla Aviation Launches India’s Largest eVTOL Manufacturing Campus

India’s Leap into Future Flight: Sarla Aviation’s “Sky Factory” Sets the Stage

A significant development is unfolding in India’s aerospace landscape, signaling a decisive shift towards advanced aerial mobility. Sarla Aviation, an emerging Indian aerospace company, has announced a landmark project to build the world’s largest integrated electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) manufacturing campus in Andhra Pradesh. Dubbed the “Sky Factory,” this ambitious initiative is poised to position India not just as a participant but as a central hub in the global urban air mobility (UAM) revolution. The project represents a major investment in future-ready, sustainable aviation technology, aiming to create a comprehensive ecosystem for the entire lifecycle of next-generation electric aircraft.

The formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, underscored by the presence of key national figures, including Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu. This high-level backing highlights the project’s alignment with national strategic goals, particularly Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s “Swarna Andhra 2047” visions. These initiatives aim to propel India into a future defined by high-technology leadership and sustainable industrial growth. The “Sky Factory” is not merely a manufacturing plant; it’s envisioned as a nerve center for the next era of flight, designed to make India a global force in sustainable aerial mobility.

With an initial investment of INR 1,300 crore, the 500-acre giga campus is set to become one of the largest eVTOL production hubs globally. The plan is to manufacture up to 1,000 aircraft annually, a scale that rivals established aerospace centers in California and Munich. This move is a clear statement of intent: India is transitioning from being a consumer of advanced aviation technology to a world-class producer and exporter. The project’s scope extends beyond manufacturing to include design, testing, certification, pilot training, and maintenance, creating a self-reliant ecosystem for eVTOL operations within the country for the first time.

The “Sky Factory”: A Giga Campus for a New Age of Aviation

The “Sky Factory” is designed to be a fully integrated UAM ecosystem. The 500-acre site in Andhra Pradesh will house a suite of cutting-edge facilities that cover the entire spectrum of eVTOL development and production. This includes advanced manufacturing units for critical components like composites, propulsion systems, landing gear, avionics, and flight control computers. By localizing the production of these high-value components, Sarla Aviation aims to significantly reduce India’s reliance on imported aviation technologies and foster a robust domestic supply chain.

A key feature of the campus will be its state-of-the-art testing infrastructure. The project includes plans for India’s largest wind tunnel, a two-kilometer runway, and dedicated VTOL testing pads. These facilities are crucial for the rigorous testing and certification processes required for new aircraft. Furthermore, the campus will host modern R&D laboratories, advanced simulation environments for pilot training, and comprehensive MRO units. This integrated approach ensures that the complete lifecycle of eVTOL aircraft, from initial concept to in-service maintenance, can be managed from a single location in India.

Sustainability is a core principle in the design of the “Sky Factory.” The campus will incorporate renewable energy generation, water recycling systems, and zero-liquid-discharge protocols. It will also follow circular-economy principles for managing composite and metal waste. The commitment to environmental stewardship is further reflected in the planned green buffer zones and biodiversity corridors across the site. This focus on sustainability aligns with the broader global push for greener transportation solutions and positions the project as a model for responsible industrial development in the high-tech sector.

“With the world’s biggest sky factory, we want to make India a nerve centre for the next era of flight. This giga facility will shape the aircraft of the future, create thousands of high-skill jobs, and establish India as a global force in sustainable aerial mobility.”, Rakesh Gaonkar, Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer, Sarla Aviation

Economic and Strategic Implications for India

The establishment of the “Sky Factory” carries profound economic and strategic implications for India. The project is expected to be a significant engine for job creation, generating thousands of skilled employment opportunities in the aerospace and high-tech manufacturing sectors. This will not only provide a boost to the regional economy in Andhra Pradesh but also contribute to building a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation in advanced aviation. The initiative is also set to catalyze the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by integrating them into the aerospace supply chain, creating a ripple effect of economic development.

Strategically, the project anchors India’s position as a key player in the burgeoning field of electric air mobility. By developing a domestic capacity for designing, building, and operating eVTOL systems, India can reduce its strategic dependence on foreign technology and enhance its self-reliance in a critical sector. Sarla Aviation’s collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government to co-develop certification frameworks and UAM corridors is a crucial step in creating a supportive regulatory environment for this new form of transportation. The company’s goal to launch commercial air-taxi operations in major South Indian cities by 2029 demonstrates a clear roadmap for translating this technological capability into a tangible public service.

The “Sky Factory” is a testament to India’s growing ambition on the global stage. It aligns with the national vision of becoming a leader in technology and manufacturing. As the world grapples with urban congestion and the need for sustainable transport, India’s investment in a large-scale eVTOL ecosystem could provide a blueprint for other nations. The project signals a future where advanced aerial mobility is not just a concept but a reality, with India at the forefront of this transformative industry.

Conclusion: Charting a New Course in the Skies

Sarla Aviation’s plan to build the world’s largest eVTOL “Sky Factory” in Andhra Pradesh is more than just an industrial project; it’s a defining milestone for India’s aerospace future. By creating a comprehensive, integrated campus for electric aircraft, the nation is making a bold statement about its capabilities and ambitions. This initiative promises to create a self-sufficient ecosystem for urban air mobility, from design and manufacturing to operations and maintenance, fundamentally altering India’s role from a technology consumer to a global producer.

The future implications are vast. The successful execution of this project will not only create thousands of skilled jobs and foster a domestic supply chain but also pave the way for cleaner, faster, and more accessible urban transportation. As cities continue to grow, solutions like eVTOL air taxis will become increasingly vital. With the “Sky Factory,” India is not just preparing for this future; it is actively building it, charting a new course for sustainable aviation and solidifying its place as a leader in the next generation of flight.

FAQ

Question: What is the “Sky Factory”?
Answer: The “Sky Factory” is the name given to the world’s largest integrated electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) manufacturing campus being built by Sarla Aviation in Andhra Pradesh, India. The 500-acre facility will handle the design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance of electric aircraft.

Question: What is the investment size of this project?
Answer: The initial investment for the “Sky Factory” project is INR 1,300 crore, with plans for additional capital infusion in later phases.

Question: What is the production capacity of the facility?
Answer: The giga facility aims to manufacture up to 1,000 eVTOL aircraft annually, making it one of the largest production hubs for such systems in the world.

Question: When can we expect commercial air-taxi operations?
Answer: Sarla Aviation is working towards launching commercial air-taxi operations across major South Indian cities by 2029.

Sources: The Economic Times