The Ajdovščina-based ultralight aircraft maker won the contract to supply a total of 194 aircraft to the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and National Cadet Corps last autumn.

The first batch of Virus SW 80 Garud aircraft was delivered to Hindan Airbase in mid-July, the company said in a press release.

Over the next 30 months, Pipistrel will deliver all the 194 aircraft to more than 100 locations across India. The contract includes an option for an additional 100 aircraft.

Experts from the Pipistrel Academy have already started training Indian pilots and instructors, while two Pipistrel technical instructors have already completed the first stage of training of Indian mechanics in aircraft maintenance.

At the time the deal was signed in October 2015, Arming India, a specialised defence portal, described it as one of the single largest deals involving ultralight aircraft in the world, worth about EUR 17m.