Grounded Ambitions

India's aviation boom has become a shorthand for its economic momentum.

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Passenger numbers are rising sharply, airports are expanding, and domestic airlines have placed some of the largest aircraft orders globally. Yet, behind this confidence lies a persistent vulnerability: India remains almost entirely dependent on foreign manufacturers for the aircraft that power this growth. As delivery delays stretch into years, the question is no longer academic. Can India meet even part of its aircraft needs itself, or will ambition continue to outrun capability?The renewed interest in domestic passenger aircraft manufacturing is driven by necessity as much as pride. Global supply bottlenecks have exposed how fragile dependence on external suppliers can be, particularly for a market growing as fast as India's. The logic for local production appears compelling ~ industrial jobs, technological depth, and a measure of strategic autonomy. But history suggests that translating demand into a viable aircraft programme is far more difficult than placing orders.