Guwahati: The government-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has started producing AVGAS 100 LL; a specialised aviation fuel designed for piston engine aircrafts and unmanned aerial vehicles, domestically in a significant step toward reducing dependence on imports to satisfy energy needs.
“We are going through a spectacular, almost revolutionary development. By boosting biofuel blending, green hydrogen, and the advent of electric vehicles, we are lowering our reliance on imported fuels “Speaking at the AVGAS 100 LL launch ceremony was Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs.
Senior leaders from the Indian Air Force, Flying Training Organizations, the ministries of petroleum and civil aviation, as well as other organisations, attended the launch event given by Indian Oil Corporation at Hindan Air Force Station.
AVGAS 100 LL is currently a 100 percent imported product. Flying instruction would be more reasonably priced in India thanks to the indigenous manufacturing of AVGAS 100 LL produced by Indian Oil at its Gujarat Refinery. India has been importing this substance for many years, and it is used to fuel the aircraft used by FTOs and the Defense forces.
According to a formal statement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Indian Oil’s research and development, refineries, and marketing teams accomplished this feat of indigenous production and provided the market with a price advantage.
Speaking to ANI, SM Vaidya, Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), claimed that the nation will save a lot of money on foreign currencies thanks to the manufacture of AVGAS 100 LL domestically.
Vaidya expressed optimism that India will soon achieve AVGAS 100 LL production independence. India consumes about 3,000 kilo litres of AVGAS 100 LL annually. This unique aviation gasoline has been imported by IOCL. It will now begin manufacturing it in its Gujarat refinery.
With the added refinery capacity, Vaidya predicted that India would not only become self-sufficient in AVGAS 100 LL but also be able to sell it to other nations.
Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, emphasised the significance of the launch of indigenous AV GAS 100 LL, saying that it is necessary to meet the needs of a thriving aviation industry with an increase in airport traffic, an increase in the number of aircraft, and Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) in trainee aircrafts for pilot training in the future.