An exciting leap in India's aerospace industry is unfolding. During the Wings India 2026 air show in Hyderabad, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) clinched a pivotal deal. The agreement is geared towards manufacturing the SJ-100 (Sukhoi Superjet-100) regional passenger aircraft within India.
What is the SJ-100?
The SJ-100 is a small to medium-range regional jet capable of carrying 95-103 passengers. This twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft is designed for flights between smaller cities and regional airports. Russia has now made it entirely import substitute, free from foreign parts.
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Now equipped with Russian-made engines (Aviadvigatel PD-8), avionics, brakes, and software, it is sanctions-proof and easily exportable. This aircraft is superb for short-haul flights like Delhi-Lucknow or Mumbai-Pune routes.
Source: aajtak
How will the India-Russia Project work?
The initial MoU was signed in October 2025, with the final agreement at Wings India in January 2026. HAL will receive a license for SJ-100 production, sales, parts manufacturing, and maintenance.
UAC will assist HAL: By setting up production facilities, providing design insights, and sending specialists. HAL will aid in certifying SJ-100 in India.
Initially: 10-20 SJ-100s will be leased from Russia to Indian airlines.
Later: Assembly will start in India (using SKD - semi knockdown kits within 3 years), followed by full production.
Objective: Local manufacturing in India, with export potential.
Read also: Amid Baramati incident, HAL emphasizes Dhruv NG helicopter for VIP operations
What is the Strategic Importance?
Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat: India will produce civilian passenger jets on a large scale for the first time. HAL is branching into civil aviation, not just defense.
Regional Connectivity: Under UDAN, affordable and reliable aircraft will connect small cities. More than 200 regional jets needed in upcoming years.
Indo-Russian Partnership: A long-standing 30-year friendship (e.g., Su-30MKI) now enters civil aviation. Russia gets a large market; India gains technology and production capacity.
Protection from Sanctions: By not relying on Western parts, SJ-100 provides a safe choice for India, free from potential tariffs or restrictions from the U.S./Europe.
Export Potential: Manufacture in India and export to Asia and Africa.
HAL's Goal: To earn 25% of revenue from civil aviation within 10 years.
Source: aajtak
Other Major Developments
Several global companies are entering India...
Embraer + Adani (civil planes)
Embraer + Mahindra (C-390)
Airbus + Tata (C-295 ongoing discussions for A-400M)
Lockheed Martin + Indian firms (MoU on C-130J)
These developments highlight India's transformation from being a buyer to becoming an aircraft manufacturing hub. The SJ-100 marks the beginning of a new era — a game-changer for India's civil aviation industry.
