SOURCE: AFI
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) is set to mark a significant milestone in India’s indigenous aviation journey with the inauguration of the Saras MkII Iron Bird test facility tomorrow, May 30, 2025. The event will be officiated by Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Jitendra Singh at the NAL Wind Tunnel Centre (NWTC), located at the Belur Campus in Bengaluru. This development underscores India’s commitment to advancing its civilian aerospace capabilities through the Saras MkII, a 19-seater light transport aircraft designed to meet regional connectivity needs.
The Iron Bird facility, a critical component in aircraft development, is a ground-based testing platform where all systems and line-replaceable units (LRUs) of the Saras MkII will be integrated and rigorously tested. This setup ensures that the aircraft’s systems—ranging from avionics to flight controls—meet stringent safety and performance standards before flight testing, a key step toward certification. The facility, first conceptualized in 2019 when its foundation stone was laid, builds on CSIR-NAL’s legacy of aerospace innovation, following years of challenges and revival efforts for the Saras program.
The Saras project, initiated in the 1980s by NAL to address India’s civil aviation needs, has seen its share of hurdles, including a tragic crash in 2009 that claimed three lives and a temporary cancellation in 2016. However, the program was revived in 2017, with significant funding of ?6,000 crore approved in 2019 for production. The Saras MkII, an upgraded 19-seater version, aims to compete with aircraft like the Dornier 228, offering a cost advantage at ?50 crore per unit and improved features like a pressurized cabin. The Indian Air Force has already committed to purchasing 15 units, with potential orders for up to 120–140 aircraft, highlighting its strategic importance for coastal surveillance and training.
The inauguration at the Belur Campus, home to NAL’s advanced testing infrastructure like the Nilakantan Wind Tunnel Centre, also reflects India’s broader push for self-reliance in aerospace. The timing is notable, given recent geopolitical developments, such as India’s revival of the Kailashahar Airport in Tripura as a counter to Chinese-backed airbase upgrades in Bangladesh. While the Saras MkII is a civilian project, its development aligns with India’s strategic need to bolster infrastructure and capabilities in sensitive regions.
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