CSIR-NAL Unveils New 'Production-Grade' Hansa-3 Aircraft Model

• CSIR–NAL launched the production-ready Hansa-3(NG) trainer, to be manufactured by Pioneer Clean Amps
• The upgraded, all-composite trainer will help meet India’s growing pilot-training needs and reduce reliance on foreign aircraft
• CSIR–NAL is also advancing the SARAS Mk 2 and new High Altitude Platforms, supported by an Iron Bird test facility to speed development

Recently, CSIR-NAL (National Aerospace Labs) of Bangalore announced that they have developed an aircraft that can be used as a trainer for pilots, with the prototype of the Hansa-3(NG) now available for production at Pioneer Clean Amps.

CSIR NAL Hansa-3, the upgraded Hansa-3 aircraft, marks a milestone with the NAL production grade plane, showcasing Indian aviation R&D through the CSIR aircraft launch, highlighting the Hansa-3 upgrade as a significant step in Indian light aircraft development and aerospace India initiatives.

The facility is located in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh has been established with an investment of ₹150 crores and has the capability to produce 100 two seat trainers each year.

The first version of the Hansa-3 was designed in the early 1990's by CSIR-NAL and used a composite material for the body of the plane. The latest version of the Hansa 3 has numerous improvements and was developed to meet the rising need for trainers for PPL (Private Pilot License) and CPL (Commercial Pilot License) applications in India. CSIR-NAL and Pioneer have formally established a working agreement pertaining to Hansa-3 manufacturing in April of 2025.

Speaking at the Bengaluru event where he unveiled the plan for aircraft manufacturing in India, Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said that it is estimated that there will be almost 30,000 pilots needed in India over the next 20 years.

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The Hansa 3NG project is a significant milestone in fulfilling this need, with the majority of technology in the aircraft being developed in India thus lessening India's dependence on foreign manufactured aircraft and providing additional avenues for endeavours in the field of manufacturing aircrafts and aviation training.

In addition to the Hansa-3, CSIR-NAL has been developing a 19-seat light transport aircraft called SARAS Mk 2 for civilian as well as military purposes. SARAS Mk 2 has a pressurised cabin, digital avionics, fly-by-wire control and improved weight reduction designs and aims to improve regional air-connectivity.

At this event, Dr Singh also launched the SARAS Mk 2 Iron Bird Facility for complete integration and ground testing of the SARAS Mk 2 and an advanced manufacturing facility for the development of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) that is designed to support the development of long range solar-powered unmanned aircrafts that will operate above 20 km.