In a groundbreaking development for India’s civil aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to collaborate on the production of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) passenger aircraft in India.
The agreement, signed in Moscow, empowers HAL with the rights to assemble the twin-engine SJ-100 regional jet, marking India’s foray into significant civilian aircraft manufacturing for the first time in nearly four decades. The SJ-100, intended for short-haul routes, is anticipated to play a crucial role in enhancing regional air connectivity. This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s overarching goals of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
In a statement, HAL expressed that this collaboration signifies “a new chapter in the history of the Indian aviation industry.” The project promises to invigorate the private aerospace ecosystem in India, generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities while bolstering domestic manufacturing capabilities in the civil aviation domain.
This partnership holds the potential to significantly alter India’s standing in the global aviation market, which has traditionally been dominated by industry giants such as Boeing and Airbus. To date, more than 200 SJ-100 aircraft have been produced globally, successfully operated by a number of airlines across different countries.
Moreover, the collaboration is expected to dovetail with India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme aimed at improving regional connectivity by making air travel accessible to smaller towns and remote areas. With projections indicating a need for over 200 regional jets in the next decade, this initiative appears timely for addressing future domestic demand for air travel.
The MoU also recalls HAL’s historical foray into civil aviation with the production of the AVRO HS-748, which was manufactured from 1961 to 1988. Since that time, India’s commercial aviation sector has become heavily reliant on imported aircraft.
Amid ongoing Western sanctions on Russia’s aerospace industry due to the conflict in Ukraine, the partnership between HAL and UAC reflects a commitment to deepening cooperation in high-tech sectors, including defense, space, and now civil aviation. Analysts regard the HAL-UAC collaboration as both a strategic and economic milestone, promising to diversify India’s aviation supply chain while strengthening ties with Moscow.
