Flying Testbeds Cannot Be Foreign Assets: Building India’s Flight-Science Infrastructure

India’s aero-engine development remains constrained by a systemic reliance on foreign flying testbeds, specifically Russia’s IL-76LL aircraft. This study evaluates the technical and strategic risks associated with this dependency and proposes the conversion of an Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76 into a sovereign, multi-role National Flying Laboratory. The research delineates a technical framework for this transition ranging from structural airframe reinforcement to the integration of advanced flight-test instrumentation required in the country. The article presents a phased inter-agency funding model to ensure fiscal viability. The study concludes that an indigenous flying testbed is a strategic prerequisite to de-risk development cycles for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme and safeguard proprietary performance data, and institutionalise a sustainable flight-experiment ecosystem.