HAL Gears Up for Accelerated Production of Saras MkII, India's Indigenous 19-Seater Aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to begin manufacturing the Saras MkII, a 19-seater aircraft designed to improve air connectivity in India's remote regions.

This project, led by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), represents a significant step forward for Indian civil aviation.

The Saras MkII is a versatile aircraft, capable of serving as a passenger transport, air ambulance, or VIP transport. This adaptability makes it an attractive option for various sectors, including the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy, who have expressed interest in procuring the aircraft for specific applications.

According to sources, the project is expected to gain momentum later this year with the release of the final aircraft drawings. CSIR-NAL has already ordered essential components and avionics, ensuring a smooth transition into manufacturing.

The initial plan involves building two Saras MkII prototypes for developmental trials, with the possibility of a third prototype to expedite the final certification process. The first test flight is anticipated in early 2026, with series production expected to begin in 2028-29.

The Indian Air Force has confirmed an initial order of 15 Saras MkII aircraft, signaling strong confidence in the project's potential. The Navy is also considering procuring the Maritime Patrol Aircraft variant of the Saras MkII.

Additional Information​

• The Saras MkII is designed to address the unique challenges of operating in India's diverse terrain and climate conditions.
• The aircraft is expected to be more affordable and efficient than comparable foreign models.
• The project represents a significant investment in India's aerospace industry and is expected to create numerous jobs.

The Saras MkII is poised to play a crucial role in improving regional air connectivity and boosting economic development in India's hinterlands.

 

[Anant]

Still following this overpriced project, are we? In all honesty, however, a 19-seater plane might not be the most ideal aircraft for far flung airports. If you have larger passenger numbers, you use an ATR aircraft. Fewer passengers, and just use a Grand Caravan or something.

NAL has a history of gobbling up funds with very little to show for it. This seems to be another of those cases.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Nal scientist must tell timeline. Otherwise it is joke.

 

[NSR]

If HAL can succeed in developing and producing it with an engine from a trusted foreign OEM engine maker, then it can be a steppingstone for future bigger transportation planes.

Perhaps it may be a story to distract public from many of its failures.

I hope they fired all the managers and important supervisors in Nashik who overhauled the crashed SU-30MKI.
HAL must pay for its sins.

 

[yogesh]

Reference the article and picture of the model,this is a great opportunity to build our ecosystem for civilian aircrafts. The picture is also very nice. Perhaps once this project is completed successfully other models with different capacities and utilities may be worth considering. Great initiative 👏

 

[Radha Ramanan]

its a just a waste of money and some body`s ego is pushing it . It shud have died a natural death due to the foll reasons.
we are trying to reinvent the wheel as the fantastic do228 sits bang in the same weight category. we have so much experience in building the DO228 for the last many decades.
I have personally been in the cockpit of the do-228 and experienced a landing in across wind situation and the air craft literally landed itself with out much pilot input. This was nearly 25+ years ago when in those days a friendly pilot would let u in the cockpit. It was in service with Vayadoot airlines , for short haul regional transport.
what can the saras do what the do 228 cant is a big question. The wing design of the do-228 was top of the line german design . When it came out it had a wing designed for STOL and good cruise speed as well. If a better aircraft is needed we can go for the later variant called the DO 328, an enlarged version. All pilots who flew them and are still flying it are all praises for the reliability and performance .
now what is the dud saras going to do? Mind you the Saras is not a desi design it was designed by russia`s Myasischev design bureau. HAL simply did not have the tech to design in those days. The whole thing fell apart after the collapse of the erstwhile soviet union.

 

[Sandeep]

its a just a waste of money and some body`s ego is pushing it . It shud have died a natural death due to the foll reasons.
we are trying to reinvent the wheel as the fantastic do228 sits bang in the same weight category. we have so much experience in building the DO228 for the last many decades.
I have personally been in the cockpit of the do-228 and experienced a landing in across wind situation and the air craft literally landed itself with out much pilot input. This was nearly 25+ years ago when in those days a friendly pilot would let u in the cockpit. It was in service with Vayadoot airlines , for short haul regional transport.
what can the saras do what the do 228 cant is a big question. The wing design of the do-228 was top of the line german design . When it came out it had a wing designed for STOL and good cruise speed as well. If a better aircraft is needed we can go for the later variant called the DO 328, an enlarged version. All pilots who flew them and are still flying it are all praises for the reliability and performance .
now what is the dud saras going to do? Mind you the Saras is not a desi design it was designed by russia`s Myasischev design bureau. HAL simply did not have the tech to design in those days. The whole thing fell apart after the collapse of the erstwhile soviet union.

There is a lot that this plane will be able to do. It will be a pressurised hull which will allow it to fly at a higher altitude of above 30000ft, increase range, better fuel efficiency, more comfortable seats with entertainment, allow hot food to be served and drinks, carry a heavier payload, better rounded hull aerodynamics etc.

So there’s a lot that this plane can do that the dornier 228 can’t. If you go for the larger plane then we will not be able to own the IPR, won’t get 100% of the technology, won’t get to make most of the parts, can’t upgrade or improve the plan without needing their help and we will be heavily reliant on that foreign country for around 30-40 years with expensive imports, parts and technology.

We need to break away from that habit and cycle of buying and using a foreign plane and it’s technology by making some par of the plane in India but not most of the technology or plane. This only favours that foreign country and stops us from developing something ourselves because most of the budget gets spent on keeping the plane flying. Also this plane can be used for other purposes like having a private plane, flight school, VIP plane, critical and air ambulance alongside the military use.

 

[Sandeep]

This is very good news as we need to develop our own planes and technology. This plane will be very different than the dornier as it will be a pressurised hull which will allow it to fly at a higher altitude of above 30000ft, increase the flights range, has better fuel efficiency, more comfortable seats with entertainment, allow hot food to be served and drinks, carry a heavier payload, better rounded hull aerodynamic shape, heavy use of composites etc.

The plane can also be used for other purposes like developing a private VIP variant, air ambulance, military transport, private flying, pilot training etc. So India should definitely start manufacturing these planes as there is a large need for it and we can also export these planes and gain more money.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Why are we wasting time and money on a 19 seater, when we already have DO 228. What advantages does this aircraft have over DO 228. Why does IAF,Navy and Coast guard need another platform of the same category,when they are already operating the DO 228.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Still following this overpriced project, are we? In all honesty, however, a 19-seater plane might not be the most ideal aircraft for far flung airports. If you have larger passenger numbers, you use an ATR aircraft. Fewer passengers, and just use a Grand Caravan or something.

NAL has a history of gobbling up funds with very little to show for it. This seems to be another of those cases.

HAL just found out its next big rabbit-hole after studying how this unfolded for NAL.
This project will give HAL's beygairat employees, something where they can act like they are working, for the next few decades.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

It will be a pressurised hull which will allow it to fly at a higher altitude of above 30000ft, increase range, better fuel efficiency, more comfortable seats with entertainment, allow hot food to be served and drinks, carry a heavier payload, better rounded hull aerodynamics etc.

To do all of this, it will have to get MADE first.

HAL has a habit of MAKING aircrafts only on paper. And paper planes don't do any of the stuff that you pointed to.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

If HAL can succeed in developing and producing it with an engine from a trusted foreign OEM engine maker, then it can be a steppingstone for future bigger transportation planes.

Perhaps it may be a story to distract public from many of its failures.

I hope they fired all the managers and important supervisors in Nashik who overhauled the crashed SU-30MKI.
HAL must pay for its sins.

No DPSU employee has ever paid for the sin they committed. That is why Sarkaari sevaks command a fat dowry in marriage.

 

[Sandeep]

To do all of this, it will have to get MADE first.

HAL has a habit of MAKING aircrafts only on paper. And paper planes don't do any of the stuff that you pointed to.

That’s what the specifications are so they will be running the tests.