Indian Air Force Showcases New Technology, Flies Its First Bio-Fuel Powered Military Aircraft

Bengaluru on Monday (17 December) witnessed a successful feat of the Indian Air Force that reportedly flew AN-32 transporter aircraft with a blended bio-jet fuel.

The aircraft was flown by Experimental Test Pilots and Test Engineer from Air Force's testing establishment ASTE, in collaboration with DRDO, Directorate General Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum.

Earlier, on 27 July 2018 in a seminar promoting indigenous technologies, the Air Force Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had announced that the IAF had an intention to use bio-jet fuel. He stated that the Air Force intends to fly AN-32 with 10 per cent bio jet fuel during the upcoming Republic day ceremony.

First tests were conducted on ground and followed by flight trials using 10 per cent bio-jet fuel with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

This fuel is made from Jatropha oil sourced from Chattisgarh Biodiesel Development Authority (CBDA) and then processed at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun.

Earlier in August, SpiceJet flew India’s first biofuel-powered flight between Dehradun and Delhi.