India’s RTA-90 program, part of the Make in India initiative, is gaining traction with the Indian Air Force (IAF) poised to be its first customer, potentially revitalizing the domestic aerospace sector. The 90-seat turboprop aircraft, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the National Aerospace Laboratories, aims to enhance regional connectivity and could serve dual purposes for military applications. The IAF’s interest reflects its need to modernize its transport fleet, while the Indian Navy may also consider the aircraft for maritime missions, emphasizing its potential for bolstering national defense capabilities amid regional challenges, particularly countering Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region.