Over the past few months, LAT Aerospace has been quietly building an unprecedented venture in India’s aerospace ecosystem—one that promises to redefine regional air travel as we know it. Founded by former Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal and ex-COO Surobhi Das, the startup recently inaugurated its brand-new 50,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art R&D headquarters in Gurgaon equipped with cutting-edge in-house labs, including powertrain testing facilities, hardware-in-the-loop simulators (HILS), and even a wind tunnel, a rarity in India’s startup scene.
At LAT, the team is engrossed in pushing the boundaries of technology focusing on a hybrid-electric demonstrator aircraft optimized for short takeoff and landing (STOL). Engineers are working on reducing weight at the gram level, designing physics models from scratch, and developing novel Monte Carlo simulators. The company aims to pioneer India’s first locally designed gas turbine engines and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, which are essential for efficient, low-cost regional aviation.
Vision and Mission
LAT Aerospace’s mission transcends conventional aerospace manufacturing. It imagines a future where India leads advanced regional air mobility with clean, affordable, and reliable aircraft. This startup is not just about technology but also about creating the backbone for connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with efficiencies that turbocharge economic and social development.
Deepinder Goyal emphasizes its “Made in India” ethos, aligned with the country’s call for self-reliance and innovation. His investment of $20 million (₹174 crore) showcases commitment to nurturing indigenous aerospace capability beyond software or services—into hard-core hardware and flight technologies.
Leadership and Hiring Focus
Surobhi Das brings invaluable operational experience from her tenure as Zomato’s COO, steering company growth and execution. She currently leads LAT Aerospace’s day-to-day operations, engineering coordination, and scaling efforts. LAT is actively hiring polymath engineers skilled in aerodynamics, avionics, hybrid-electric systems, turbine engines, and more—welcoming those passionate about solving complex real-world aerospace problems.
Future Outlook and Industry Impact
In a landscape dominated by foreign OEMs, LAT Aerospace stands out as a flagship Indian initiative aiming to carve out a niche in short-haul regional air transport, supporting India’s multi-pronged transport policy. There are ambitious plans for commercial launches of their demonstrator aircraft and eventually more tailored, sustainable passenger aircraft suited to India’s unique geographic and economic contours.
LAT’s progress signals a turning point in making aerospace tech development accessible and achievable for Indian innovators rather than relying solely on imports or foreign collaborations.
Additional Context: India’s Growing Aerospace Ambition
India’s aerospace industry is on an upswing with government aircraft manufacturing initiatives, Make in India aerospace plans, and increasing demand for regional connectivity supported by government schemes like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). LAT Aerospace aligns perfectly with these macro trends toward regional air mobility, hybrid and electric propulsion, and technology sovereignty.
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