Context:
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) have signed an MoU to produce the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India, signalling a major boost to domestic aviation manufacturing and regional connectivity.
Key Highlights:
- Key Agreement Details
- HAL and UAC have entered into an MoU for SJ-100 aircraft production.
- The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body passenger aircraft with 200+ units already manufactured globally.
- HAL will manufacture the aircraft specifically for Indian domestic customers under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
- The MoU was signed in Moscow by senior representatives of both companies.
- Strategic Importance
- This is the first full passenger aircraft production in India since HAL stopped producing the AVRO HS-748 in 1988.
Significance
• India’s rapidly growing aviation sector is projected to require 200+ regional commuter jets in the upcoming decade.
• An additional 350 aircraft may be needed for the Indian Ocean region, enabling better connectivity to neighbouring tourist and commercial destinations.
• Manufacturing the SJ-100 within India is expected to bring multiple benefits:
- Stronger private sector participation in aerospace manufacturing
- Large-scale direct and indirect employment generation
- Creation of a domestic aircraft production ecosystem
- Enhanced capacity for India in civil aviation manufacturing, complementing HAL’s defence aviation capabilities
• The collaboration strengthens India–Russia technological cooperation, particularly in high-value manufacturing sectors.