HAL, Russia’s UAC Partner to Build SJ-100 Jets in India, Eyes Regional Skies
Bengaluru/Moscow: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Moscow, to produce the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India.
The SJ-100, a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft with over 200 units already operational across 16 commercial airlines globally, is poised to transform short-haul connectivity in India under the UDAN Scheme. As per the deal, HAL will manufacture the SJ-100 for domestic customers, marking the first instance of a complete passenger aircraft being produced in India—a major stride toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat in civil aviation.
The collaboration is a testament to the mutual trust between HAL and UAC, highlighting the historic significance. The last such project was HAL’s production of the AVRO HS-748 (1961–1988). The SJ-100’s production is expected to strengthen the private sector, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and catalyze India’s aviation ecosystem.
India’s aviation sector is projected to require over 200 jets in this category for regional connectivity and an additional 350 aircraft for the Indian Ocean region to serve international tourist destinations over the next decade. The SJ-100 will address this demand while positioning India as a manufacturing hub for narrow-body aircraft.
“This is a new chapter in India’s aviation history. It aligns with our vision of self-reliance and will enhance connectivity, tourism, and economic growth,” said D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL.
The agreement was signed by Prabhat Ranjan (HAL) and Oleg Bogomolov (PJSC UAC) in the presence of D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL, and Vadim Badekha, Director General, PJSC UAC.
The partnership underscores HAL’s expanding footprint beyond defense and into civil aviation, leveraging global collaboration to meet India’s growing air travel needs.
