Pawan Hans Signs MoU with Norway's Noemi Aerospace for Electric Seaplane Cooperation

Pawan Hans Limited, a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Noemi Aerospace, formerly Elfly AS, of Norway, to explore cooperation in next-generation sustainable aviation technologies, including electric seaplane solutions.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha. The agreement itself was signed by Sunil Kumar Nagdawne, Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans, and Eric Francois Lithun, Chief Executive and Engineering Officer of Noemi Aerospace.

The proposed collaboration covers electric seaplane technologies, skill development and capacity building, technical knowledge sharing, workshops, and feasibility studies between the two organisations.

The initiative fits into the government's push for regional and island connectivity, green aviation, and domestic manufacturing under the Make in India framework. Minister Naidu noted that the Union Budget 2026 supports the sector through a proposed Seaplane Viability Gap Funding scheme and manufacturing incentives.

Naidu said India has spent the past two years laying groundwork for seaplane operations by simplifying regulations, introducing dedicated operational guidelines, and conducting nationwide demonstration flights, with the government now looking to combine global technology partnerships with domestic manufacturing capacity.

Noemi Aerospace, headquartered in Bergen, Norway, works on next-generation electric seaplane technology, and the MoU marks its first publicly announced engagement with an Indian government aviation enterprise.