| Saras | |
|---|---|
 NAL Saras taking off | |
| General information | |
| Type | Business jet / Military transport aircraft |
| National origin | India |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Designer | National Aerospace Laboratories Council of Scientific and Industrial Research |
| Status | In production (Mk1)[1][2] |
| Primary users | Indian Air Force (intended) Indian Army (intended) |
| Number built | 2 prototypes |
| History | |
| First flight | Mk1 - 29 May 2004 Mk2 (~2025, planned)[3] |
The NAL Saras (Sanskrit: "Crane") is the first Indian multi-purpose civilian aircraft in the light transport aircraft category as designed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
In January 2016, it was reported that the project had been cancelled.[1] But in February 2017, the project was revived.[4] In February 2019, India's Ministry of Finance approved ₹6,000 crore (US$720 million) for the production of the airliner.[2]
- ^ a b Patil, Ramu (20 January 2016). "After 16 Years and Rs 300 Crore, Civil Aircraft Dream Crashlands". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Ministry of Defence gives nod for proposal to produce Saras civil aircraft developed by NAL". UNI. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "NAL plans design, development of 70-seater aircraft". The Economic Times. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ^ Urs, Anil (16 February 2017). "NAL to revive SARAS, two other civil passenger aircraft". The Hindu Business Line.