HAL and Russia's UAC to Produce SJ-100 Passenger Jets in India
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly manufacture the civil commuter aircraft SJ-100 in India. This marks the first full-scale production of a passenger aircraft in India since 1988. The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, short-haul jet ideal for regional and international routes, expected to boost connectivity under India’s UDAN scheme and advance the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
HAL and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation formalized an MoU in Moscow to produce the SJ-100, a twin-engine, narrow-body civil commuter aircraft, in India. This collaboration revives complete passenger aircraft production in India for the first time since HAL’s AVRO HS-748 project ended in 1988. The SJ-100, with over 200 units already flying with more than 16 airlines worldwide, is designed for short-haul flights and can operate in extreme climates. It offers a flight range of up to 3,530 km, with dimensions making it suitable for regional air travel. Under the agreement, HAL obtains full rights to manufacture the SJ-100 for domestic customers. Industry estimates forecast a demand for more than 200 such jets within India over the next decade, with an additional 350 aircraft needed for nearby international routes in the Indian Ocean region. This partnership will enhance regional connectivity, especially under the government’s UDAN scheme, which aims to develop affordable short-distance air travel. The manufacturing initiative is also aligned with India's goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), aiming to strengthen the private sector and boost employment in the aviation sector. The HAL-UAC cooperation signifies a strategic shift from solely assembling to fully manufacturing passenger jets in India, marking a new chapter in the country’s civil aviation industry.
