Proposal To Transform HAL Old Airport Into Global Aerospace Hub

27 Apr 2026 CW Team

The document, titled HAL Aerospace Renaissance Masterplan (2026–2036), envisages creating a US$20 billion (US$20 bn) aerospace economy within a decade and outlines phased redevelopment of airside and landside assets. It envisages advanced manufacturing clusters for airframes, engines, avionics, composites and rotorcraft alongside research and testing facilities. The masterplan also prioritises infrastructure to support civil aviation activities, defence manufacturing and space sector partnerships, with an emphasis on certification, safety and export readiness.

The proposal was submitted by the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) together with the State Policy and Planning Commission and seeks support from the Union government for regulatory clearances, infrastructure funding and a supportive policy framework. Key initiatives described include HAL air mobility campuses, supply chain campuses and dedicated zones for component suppliers and system integrators. The plan recommends a global training and skilling academy to develop specialist labour and a cluster approach to accelerate technology transfer and manufacturing scale?up.

Implementation will be phased to manage land use, environmental compliance and co?location with existing defence installations, and the masterplan identifies priority projects and timelines for early wins. Expected outcomes include increased manufacturing exports, higher skilled employment and a dense innovation ecosystem linking industry, academia and government laboratories. Realisation of the vision will depend on coordinated regulatory action, targeted public funding and private investment to meet infrastructure and certification requirements.

A Government of Karnataka (GoK) undertaking has proposed a 10-year masterplan to convert the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Old Airport area in Bengaluru into a global aerospace hub. The proposal sets out a roadmap for the HAL Aerospace City District and seeks to establish an integrated defence–civil–space corridor between 2026 and 2036. The plan aims to position Bengaluru among the world’s leading aviation centres and to catalyse a high-technology industrial cluster on nearly 700 acres of HAL land. The document, titled HAL Aerospace Renaissance Masterplan (2026–2036), envisages creating a US$20 billion (US$20 bn) aerospace economy within a decade and outlines phased redevelopment of airside and landside assets. It envisages advanced manufacturing clusters for airframes, engines, avionics, composites and rotorcraft alongside research and testing facilities. The masterplan also prioritises infrastructure to support civil aviation activities, defence manufacturing and space sector partnerships, with an emphasis on certification, safety and export readiness. The proposal was submitted by the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) together with the State Policy and Planning Commission and seeks support from the Union government for regulatory clearances, infrastructure funding and a supportive policy framework. Key initiatives described include HAL air mobility campuses, supply chain campuses and dedicated zones for component suppliers and system integrators. The plan recommends a global training and skilling academy to develop specialist labour and a cluster approach to accelerate technology transfer and manufacturing scale?up. Implementation will be phased to manage land use, environmental compliance and co?location with existing defence installations, and the masterplan identifies priority projects and timelines for early wins. Expected outcomes include increased manufacturing exports, higher skilled employment and a dense innovation ecosystem linking industry, academia and government laboratories. Realisation of the vision will depend on coordinated regulatory action, targeted public funding and private investment to meet infrastructure and certification requirements.

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