THE THREE-YEAR old Saras light-transport aircraft project of India's state-owned Bangalore-based National Aerospace Laboratories is finally to go ahead, following Government agreement on financing.
The $40 million joint project with the Russian Myasischev Design Bureau is to be funded by (in addition to the main partners) India's Reliance Group, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), the Indian Department of Science and Technology and the Russian Government.
The 14-seat multi-role turboprop has been designed for operations from unprepared and high-altitude airfields, particularly to open up India's rural areas.
The aircraft is to be built by HAL at its Bangalore site.
Source: Flight International