HAL And Russia’s UAC Sign MoU To Manufacture SJ-100 Civil Aircraft In India

In an important development for India’s civil aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) to manufacture the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft domestically.

The agreement was formalised in Moscow on 27 October by HAL’s Prabhat Ranjan and Oleg Bogomolov of PJSC-UAC, in the presence of Dr DK Sunil, CMD of HAL, and Vadim Badeka, Director General of PJSC-UAC.

The SJ-100, a twin-engine narrow-body jet, is already in commercial operation with over 16 airlines worldwide and more than 200 units produced to date.

Under the partnership, HAL will gain the rights to produce the SJ-100 in India, with the aircraft positioned to significantly boost short-haul connectivity under the government’s UDAN scheme.

HAL described the collaboration as a result of “mutual trust between the organisations,” adding that it marks the first time a complete passenger aircraft will be built in India. The last such instance was the production of the AVRO HS-748, which began in 1961 and concluded in 1988.

Industry estimates suggest India will require over 200 regional jets in the coming decade, alongside 350 aircraft for the Indian Ocean region to support connectivity with nearby international destinations.

The manufacturing of the SJ-100 is being hailed as a defining step in India’s aviation journey.

“It’s a step towards fulfilling the dream of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in the civil aviation sector,” the statement read, adding that the initiative would also “strengthen the private sector and create direct and indirect jobs in the aviation industry.”

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