NOEMI Aerospace and Pawan Hans sign strategic MoU to explore electric seaplane operations in India

NOEMI Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pawan Hans, India's leading helicopter operator, to explore the introduction of electric amphibious aircraft for regional air transport across India. The agreement marks an important milestone for the NOEMI programme and strengthens the company's international commercial momentum. It also reflects growing confidence in electric amphibious aviation from one of the world's most ambitious aviation markets. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Ji and Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation Shri Samir Kumar Sinha Ji, underlining the strategic importance India places on sustainable regional aviation and enhanced connectivity.

Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India commented: “Our vision is not limited to operating seaplanes in India; we also want to build them in India guided by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Make in India vision. Further, the Union Budget 2026 strongly puts forward the government’s vision for Seaplane promotion. It proposes to give incentives to indigenize manufacturing of seaplanes. A Seaplane VGF Scheme will also be introduced to provide support for operations. If we combine global technology partnerships with Indian manufacturing capability, then we can cater to the local and regional demand for Seaplanes.”

Eric Lithun, Founder & CEO, NOEMI Aerospace stated: "We are honoured to begin this collaboration with Pawan Hans and grateful for the strong support shown by Hon’ble Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Ji and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. India has a bold vision for regional connectivity, and electric amphibious aircraft could become an important part of that future. Together with Pawan Hans and the Indian government, we look forward to exploring how NOEMI can help strengthen regional connectivity and support India's strategy towards more sustainable aviation.” 

Sunil Kumar Nagdawne, Chairman & Managing Director, Pawan Hans Ltd said: “At Pawan Hans, we are committed to evolving from being India’s leading helicopter operator into a future ready aviation enterprise that embraces innovation, sustainability and global partnerships. This MOU is only the beginning of an exciting journey towards building India’s sustainable aviation future.”

India is emerging as one of the world's most attractive future markets for seaplane operations. Through the Government of India's UDAN regional connectivity programme, plans are underway for approximately 150 new seaplane routes, creating a unique opportunity for sustainable regional aviation.

For NOEMI, the collaboration represents more than access to a major future market. It provides early engagement with one of the world's most ambitious regional aviation programmes and further validates the commercial potential of the company's aircraft platform.

Erik Sandal, Co-founder & Chief Investment Officer, NOEMI Aerospace added:"India has both the ambition and the scale to become the world's largest seaplane market. Working with Pawan Hans gives us a unique opportunity to explore how electric amphibious aircraft can support that transformation from the very beginning." 

The collaboration will initially focus on evaluating operational concepts, infrastructure requirements and commercial opportunities for electric amphibious aircraft in India. NOEMI's aircraft is designed to operate from both water and conventional runways, enabling sustainable regional air transport without requiring new airport infrastructure. Built on a one platform, multiple missions philosophy, the aircraft is being developed for passenger transport, cargo, medical evacuation, search and rescue, government operations and aerial firefighting. 

The partnership also builds on the growing relationship between India and Norway following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Oslo earlier this year and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the EFTA countries.