After successfully flying its transport aircraft AN-32 with Jatropha-blended ATF (aviation turbine fuel), the Indian Air Force is now looking to test its entire fleet of helicopters, transport aircraft and fighter jets to fly on biofuel-blended ATF over the next two years. To secure a constant supply, the Centre is in the process of setting up 1,000-litre-a-day biofuel plants in five States.

At present the IAF uses biofuel derived from Jatropha in Chhattisgarh, 68 tree-based oils from across the country are being considered for the blend in India. 

The IAF consumes about 100 crore litres of ATF annually, and successful testing of 10% biofuel-blended ATF will mean the country has to produce at least 10 crore litre of biofuel annually. The target, for the IAF and the government, is to reduce the cost from about ₹190 a litre of biofuel to about ₹60 through commercialisation of production. The Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will drive this project.

Plans are afoot to use Nahar in Assam, Sal in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Pongamia in Karnataka, and Jatropha in Chhattisgarh. The IAF is also funding technology development at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre for hydro generators that are required for production of biofuel.