Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly produce the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India. The agreement was signed in Moscow, HAL said in a statement.
The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft currently operated by more than 16 commercial airlines. Over 200 such aircraft have already been produced globally.
The aeronautics company said the partnership with UAC builds on the long-standing cooperation between the two sides and will help meet India’s growing aviation requirements, with domestic demand projected to exceed 200 jets over the next decade and an additional 350 aircraft expected to serve the Indian Ocean region and nearby international tourist destinations.
“The manufacturing of the SJ-100 aircraft marks a new chapter in India’s aviation industry and aligns with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” HAL said. The project is expected to boost domestic manufacturing, attract private-sector participation, and generate employment across the aviation supply chain, it added.
The deal marks the first time a complete passenger aircraft will be produced in India since the AVRO HS-748 programme, which ran from 1961 to 1988. Under the arrangement, HAL will manufacture the SJ-100 for India’s domestic market — a move aimed at improving short-haul connectivity under the government’s regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN.
Source: ANI