Russia boosts India's aircraft manufacturing industry

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into a joint venture with Russia’s PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to manufacture Sukhoi SJ-100 superjets.

The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body Russian regional passenger aircraft already in commercial service, with more than 200 units operating across 16 airlines globally.

Under the arrangement, HAL will have the rights to manufacture the aircraft in India for domestic use. The South Asian nation, which is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets, needs over 200 jets in the next decade to boost regional connectivity.


Last October, HAL announced it had signed a MoU with UAC to produce civil commuter SJ-100 aircraft.

The SJ-100 will be a game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN scheme in India, the state-backed company said in a release.

The deal formalizes HAL’s role in certifying the SJ-100 locally and grants it a manufacturing and sales license. The UAC will provide technical assistance, design services, and specialist support to re-equip HAL’s facilities.

UAC has also signed a deal to supply six Ilyushin aircraft to an Indian firm.

An agreement to supply the Il-114-300 aircraft was finalized between UAC and India’s Flamingo Aerospace during the Wings India 2026 International Aviation Exhibition in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

“The cooperation program is aimed at meeting India’s growing regional aviation needs,” UAC said in a statement.

As part of the agreement, UAC will provide Flamingo with “a roadmap for the development of aviation competencies.”

The UAC will provide assistance to Flamingo to gradually increase the capabilities of aircraft assembly, modification, maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as infrastructure development.