- HAL and Russia’s UAC signed an MoU in Moscow to manufacture the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India, marking the country’s first full passenger aircraft production since the AVRO HS-748 program.
- The twin-engine SJ-100 is aimed at boosting India’s regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme, with over 200 units projected for domestic demand and 350 more for the Indian Ocean region in the next decade.
- The partnership supports India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, expected to strengthen the local aerospace ecosystem and generate significant employment across the aviation value chain.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC), Russia, signed an MoU for the production of civil commuter aircraft SJ-100 in Moscow, Russia, on October 27, 2025. Shri Prabhat Ranjan, HAL and Mr. Oleg Bogomolov, PJSC UAC, Russia, signed the MoU in the presence of Dr. D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL and Mr. Vadim Badekha, Director General, PJSC UAC.
SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft. As of date, more than 200 aircraft have been produced and are being operated by more than 16 commercial airline operators. SJ-100 will be the game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN Scheme in India.
Under this arrangement, HAL will have the rights to manufacture SJ-100 aircraft for domestic customers. This collaboration between HAL and UAC is the result of mutual trust between the organisations.
This will also be the first instance wherein a complete passenger aircraft will be produced in India.
The last such project was HAL’s production of AVRO HS-748, which started in 1961 and ended in 1988.
It is estimated that over the next ten years, the Indian aviation sector will require over 200 jets in this category for regional connectivity and an additional 350 aircraft for the Indian Ocean region to serve nearby international tourist destinations.
The manufacturing of the SJ-100 aircraft marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Indian aviation industry. It’s a step towards fulfilling the dream of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in the civil aviation sector. Manufacturing will also strengthen the private sector and create direct and indirect jobs in the aviation industry.
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