The Indian Air Force has expressed interest in buying six Saras aircraft, to be made by NAL in partnership with state-owned HAL and private firms.
The success of Brazil's Embraer, in the market for planes used in executive travel, cargo, surveys and rescue, made India realise that Saras with its low-cost could be a hit. Embraer ranks four in the world in civilian aircraft market.
The consortium that comprises of Russia's Sukhoi design bureau, Boeing, France's Snecma and NPO Saturn have forwarded HAL to join as partners.
Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ram Moorthy, Minister of State for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal and Director-General of the Council of Scientific Research and Industrial Research, R A Mashelkar, watch the inaugural flight.
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