US-based Natilus announced on December 17, 2025, a conditional order from SpiceJet for 100 Horizon blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft, establishing Natilus India in Mumbai to pursue certification with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and explore local manufacturing for up to 300 jets annually. This development supports India’s self-reliance in aerospace, with plans for component sourcing from domestic suppliers, aligning with booming air travel demand projected to require over 2,200 new aircraft by 2040. The Horizon promises 30% lower fuel use, 40% more cabin volume, and compatibility with existing infrastructure, potentially enabling Indian Air Force evaluations for refueling, cargo, or drone adaptations. Still conceptual and pursuing FAA certification first, with cargo variant Kona eyed for late-2020s entry ahead of passenger Horizon in early 2030s, realization hinges on regulatory progress amid historical BWB challenges, though SpiceJet’s backing and Natilus’s $8.7 billion global pre-orders signal viable potential by mid-2030s.