Chennai, Aug 2026 : Thanjavur-based aerospace start-up Pullinam Aerospace Technologies has signed a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Coimbatore-based Skyworks Aviation International for the supply of 100 light aircraft in a deal estimated to be worth between ₹175 crore and ₹200 crore.
The agreement marks a major milestone for the emerging aerospace company and strengthens Tamil Nadu’s growing ambitions to establish itself as a hub for indigenous aircraft design and manufacturing.
The deal covers Pullinam Aerospace’s PAT-LSA01, an indigenous two-seater Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft currently under development. The aircraft is being developed in both electric and internal-combustion engine variants, reflecting the company’s effort to address both emerging sustainable aviation requirements and conventional aviation applications.
The LOI was signed on Thursday during the National Aerospace and Aviation Start-up Conclave, organised by the Institute of Aeronautics, Astronautics and Aviation in association with StartupTN at the Nehru Institute of Technology campus in Coimbatore.
The agreement followed nearly eight months of technical discussions and commercial negotiations between the two companies. Skyworks Aviation initiated discussions with Pullinam in January after the PAT-LSA01 was showcased at the Tamil Nadu Global Start-up Summit in October 2025.
Pullinam Aerospace founder and CEO Professor CS Karunakaran said the binding agreement provides significant validation for the company’s aircraft design and its potential market demand even before the aircraft enters its planned flight-test phase.
According to the company, flight testing is expected to take place over the next two years. The early commercial interest could help strengthen confidence among potential customers and investors while supporting the transition from aircraft development to production.
Pullinam has also secured a separate Letter of Intent from the Combat Army Aviation Training School under the Indian Army Aviation wing in Nashik. The development points to potential applications of the aircraft in areas such as pilot training, surveillance and recreational flying, in addition to commercial operations.
The company plans to establish its aircraft manufacturing facility at Sengipatti village in Thanjavur district. It also intends to expand its operations across Tamil Nadu, contributing to the development of a wider aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in the state.
Karunakaran said the PAT-LSA01 is expected to be priced at around ₹1.5 crore for commercial customers and ₹1 crore for defence applications, positioning the aircraft as a relatively affordable option for different user segments.
He also pointed to Tamil Nadu’s existing aviation infrastructure, noting that the state has 13 unused airstrips that could potentially support the deployment of indigenous light aircraft for personal, training and commercial purposes.
The development comes as Tamil Nadu seeks to leverage its established strengths in automotive manufacturing, precision engineering and industrial infrastructure to expand into advanced aerospace production.
The agreement with Skyworks could therefore represent more than a commercial order for Pullinam Aerospace. It also highlights the growing role of Indian start-ups in developing indigenous aviation platforms and could contribute to the creation of a domestic supply chain for light aircraft, components and related technologies.
With the PAT-LSA01 moving towards flight testing and manufacturing, Pullinam Aerospace is positioning itself as one of the emerging players in India’s effort to build a stronger and more self-reliant aerospace industry.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
