Enabling clean, fast, and scalable regional cargo delivery in India using hydrogen powered STOL aircraft — no runways, no emissions, no delays, writes Harsh Joshi, Co-founder & CEO, Cligent Aerospace.
In a country as vast and complex as India, the movement of goods between cities and underserved rural regions remains a massive challenge. Logistics contributes to nearly 14% of India’s GDP, and the cost per kilometer per kilogram is significantly higher compared to global benchmarks. With e-commerce projected to cross $200 billion by 2026 and the National Logistics Policy targeting cost reduction to 8% of GDP, the need for a next-generation logistics backbone is urgent.
Among the many gaps, the midmile logistics segment (100–800 km) remains the most underserved. While long-haul air cargo services exist, and last-mile electric vehicles and drones are emerging, the middle link — regional connectivity from Tier 1 hubs to Tier 2/3 cities, ports, and remote regions — remains slow, costly, and carbon-intensive.
At Cligent Aerospace, we believe that the solution lies not just in better roads or more warehouses, but in aerial logistics powered by clean energy — specifically, hydrogenelectric fixed-wing STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft.
India’s Mid-Mile Problem
India’s freight movement is dominated by road transport (approx. 64%), followed by rail (27%), and a negligible 1% by air. For timesensitive cargo like pharmaceuticals, electronics, industrial components, and perishables, this creates significant delays. On average:
- Trucks in India travel at 30–40 km/h, compared to 60+ km/h in the US and China
- Delays due to congestion, documentation, and terrain add 30–50% extra time
- Cost of logistics is way higher per kg per km for surface transport for urgent goods
Now consider that India has over 400 Tier 2/3 cities and 6 lakh+ villages, many of which are underserved by air or rail logistics. Fast access to these regions is crucial — not only for commercial logistics but also for public health, rural development, and disaster resilience.
Enter STOL Aircraft: Air Connectivity Anywhere
STOL aircraft are fixed-wing aircraft that require minimal runway infrastructure — often just 100–150 meters of flat terrain. Unlike helicopters or traditional cargo planes, STOL platforms can take off from village roads, industrial parks, or farm fields. By leveraging:
- High-lift airfoils
- Oversized flaps and smart control surfaces
- Lightweight composite structures
- Optimized drag-to-lift ratios for low-speed performance
STOL aircraft offer a unique advantage in a country where over 100,000 sq km lacks quality airstrip access. With zero need for airport level infrastructure, these aircraft can land near warehouses, cold storage, or even rural clinics.
Why we don’t choose eVTOL for Advanced Air Mobility
While eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) dominate headlines for urban air mobility, they are often limited by range, payload capacity, and battery density. STOL aircraft offer a significantly more practical solution for mid-mile cargo:
- Range: STOL aircraft can achieve 3–5x longer range than typical eVTOLs (500–1000+ km vs 100–200 km)
- Easy to Certify: It can be certified way simpler and cheaper than any VTOL category
- Energy Efficiency: Fixed-wing aircraft consume 40–60% less energy per kilometer due to glide efficiency
- Operational Costs: eVTOLs require high-density urban infrastructure (vertiports, charging pads), whereas STOL aircraft can operate from existing rural roads or farmlands
- Safety & Simplicity: Fixed-wing designs are inherently more aerodynamically stable and mechanically simpler than multirotor VTOL systems
Why Hydrogen, and Why Now?
Hydrogen is no longer a futuristic fuel — it’s a necessity. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, backed by ₹19,744 crore (approx. $2.3 billion), aims to make the country a global hub for hydrogen production and exports. In aviation, hydrogen is proving to be the most viable solution for long-range, emission-free propulsion.
Key Benefits of Hydrogen-Electric Aviation:
- Energy Density: 3x higher than Li-ion batteries, enabling longer flight duration
- Quick Refueling: Under 10 minutes vs hours for charging Zero Emissions: Only water vapor as exhaust
- Low Noise Profile: Suitable for peri-urban and night operations
Globally, aircraft such as ZeroAvia’s Dornier 228 (UK), Airbus ZeroE (EU), and HES Energy Systems (Singapore) are validating hydrogenelectric flight in various forms. However, these are often targeted at developed markets, larger aircraft, or passenger segments. In contrast, India has a unique use case — lowcost, low-infrastructure, regional cargo aviation.
Global Logistics Trends Validate the Shift
- McKinsey projects urban and regional air mobility to become a $1.5 trillion market by 2040
- World Economic Forum estimates drone and light aircraft logistics could reduce carbon emissions in freight by 30–50% by 2035
- IATA has called for regional decarbonization of aviation as a key pillar to achieving net-zero by 2050Mid-mile logistics will play a crucial role in enabling that shift, especially for nations like India where decentralization is not optional — it’s essential.
The Cligent Solution: Modular, Scalable, and Clean
Cligent Aerospace is developing a fleet of hydrogen-electric STOL aircraft in three payload classes:
- CL50: 50 kg payload, 500+ km range
- CL300: 300 kg payload, 700+ km range
- CL1000: 1000 kg payload, 1000+ km range
All variants are:
- First electric and later powered by PEM hydrogen fuel cells with buffer batteries
- Capable of takeoff from unpaved, 100m-long airstrips
- Autonomous, BVLOS-capable, and fully software-integrated (Manually optional with a Pilot onboarded or remotely operate)
What makes Cligent different:
India-first design principles: Altitude handling, rough strip tolerance, energy sourcing compatibility
- Modular payload bays for pharma, defense, perishables, and manufacturing parts
- Unified avionics and flight stack for ease of scale
Real-World Use Cases
- Pharma Cold Chain: Time-bound vaccines or insulin deliveries to sub-centers
- Factory-to-Warehouse: Spare parts, electronics, 3D-printed tooling
- Emergency Response: Flood relief, portable generators, food packs
- Defense Frontlines: Supplies to bunkers or mountainous terrain
- Rural E-commerce Hubs: Highmargin, low-weight orders to regional depots
Each flight reduces 60–90% of the travel time compared to road transport, with comparable or lower cost when scaled.
Cligent Aerospace in Brief
Founded by aerospace engineers with deep experience in aerospace, propulsion systems, and defensegrade systems, Cligent Aerospace is based in Ahmedabad and supported by IIMA Ventures, IIT Mandi, PIERC and IIT Gandhinagar.
The company’s vision is to enable clean aerial mobility for advanced air mobility across India and eventually other emerging markets. By combining STOL capabilities with hybrid-electric power, Cligent aims to create an ecosystem where goods can be moved faster, cheaper, and cleaner — without waiting for roads or airports to catch up. ■
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of FMM magazine
Harsh Joshi
Co-founder & CEO
Cligent Aerospace