First Saras Mk2 test flight scheduled December 2027: official

• The Saras Mk2, an updated version of an India-designed civilian aircraft, is set to test fly in December 2027.

• The plane is expected to be airworthy enough to be potentially bought by the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has expressed interest in buying at least 15 of these planes.

• The main draw of the Saras Mk2 is as a passenger plane and a 19-seater aircraft that can ferry people in towns and cities, as well as chartered planes or air ambulances.

• The Mk2 plane is an upgraded version of the 14-seater Saras prototype planes developed by CSIR-NAL and first flew in 2004.

• The first flight is expected to be in June 2024, with production expected to begin around 2026-27.

• The avionics, brake management, and environmental control will be developed at NAL.

• The older 14-seater version, or the first Saras, will not be flying but is being used as a “test bed” for future planes.