HAL & Russia's UAC Ink Landmark SJ-100 'Make in India' Deal

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company – United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) to manufacture the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India.

The agreement, formalised in Moscow, enables HAL to produce the twin-engine, narrow-body SJ-100, designed for short-haul regional operations, for Indian customers. With more than 200 SJ-100 aircraft currently in service across 16 international airlines, the collaboration is expected to bolster regional air connectivity under the UDAN Scheme, which promotes affordable air travel to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

This initiative marks a historic milestone—the first complete passenger aircraft production in India since the AVRO HS-748 project, which concluded in 1988. The partnership strengthens India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in the aviation sector.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.