Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Moscow to jointly manufacture the civil commuter aircraft SJ-100 in India.
The agreement was signed by Shri Prabhat Ranjan from HAL and Mr. Oleg Bogomolov from PJSC UAC, in the presence of Dr. D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL, and Mr. Vadim Badekha, Director General, PJSC UAC.
The SJ-100, a modern twin-engine, narrow-body jet, has already seen over 200 units produced and is in operation with more than 16 commercial airlines globally.
This partnership marks a historic milestone for India’s civil aviation sector, as HAL will gain exclusive rights to manufacture the SJ-100 for domestic markets. The aircraft is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing short-haul connectivity under India’s UDAN scheme, revolutionizing regional air travel across the country.
Notably, this will be the first complete passenger aircraft manufactured in India since HAL’s production of the AVRO HS-748 between 1961 and 1988. The collaboration underscores the growing strategic and industrial partnership between India and Russia in the aerospace sector.
Industry projections indicate that India will require over 200 regional jets in the next decade to strengthen domestic air connectivity, along with an additional 350 aircraft for the Indian Ocean region to support international tourism links.
The SJ-100 manufacturing project is a major leap towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in aviation. It will not only advance indigenous aircraft production but also create substantial employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors, further boosting India’s position as an emerging hub for civil aircraft manufacturing.
