India to break Airbus-Boeing duopoly? Aviation Minister Naidu signals hope for country’s first civilian aircraft

Months after the C-295, the first ‘Made in India’ military plane, took off into Vadodara’s skies, the Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu hinted that India might soon launch its first major civilian aircraft. Speaking at the symposium of the Indian Foundation for Quality Management on Tuesday, the minister highlighted the possibility of a joint venture leading to India’s first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years. He said, “Within two years, we will be able to have Made-In-India civilian aircraft through a joint venture.” While the joint venture was not explicitly named, the partnership is expected to mirror the Tata…