India's Aerospace Ambitions Limited by Testing and Certification Shortcomings

India's growing civil aviation market and expanding military aerospace demand have prompted OEMs to establish partnerships and manufacturing facilities in the country. However, the country still lacks adequate testing and certification capabilities.

The private sector has a severe capability gap in high-scale model wind tunnels, acoustic test facilities, engine overhauling and performance test rigs, dedicated test ranges for aircraft and drones, and other key infrastructure.

Some of these capabilities are available with government institutions such as NAL, ISRO, and DRDO, but most are out of bounds for private aviation and aerospace companies and startups.

Anubhav Kumar, Executive Director at Boeing India and South East Asia, noted that 'it takes years and years of certification effort and sort of capital' to establish these capabilities, whereas other countries have a nationalized testing infrastructure that can be utilized.