For India’s aviation ambitions, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an MoU with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to manufacture the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) in India. The deal not only revives the nation’s dormant civilian aircraft production but also aligns with the government’s push for self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives

India has taken a major step toward reviving its civilian aircraft manufacturing capability. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace firm, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to produce the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) for domestic use. The agreement, signed in Moscow, marks India’s first significant foray into passenger jet production in decades — a move that could reshape the country’s aviation industry and align with its broader self-reliance goals.

A New Chapter in Indian Aviation

HAL’s statement described the project as “a new chapter in the history of Indian aviation,” emphasizing that manufacturing the SJ-100 would strengthen India’s private sector and create large-scale employment opportunities. The SJ-100 is a twin-engine regional jet designed for short-haul routes, with more than 200 units already in service worldwide.

By assembling the aircraft in India, HAL aims to support the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision while adding competition to a market long dominated by Boeing and Airbus. The aircraft is also expected to bolster the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which subsidises flights to smaller cities and underserved destinations.

Reviving a Dormant Legacy

The collaboration recalls India’s earlier efforts in civilian aircraft production, most notably HAL’s AVRO HS-748 programme that began in 1961 and ended in 1988. Since then, India’s civil aviation sector has relied almost entirely on imports. Industry experts believe the new partnership could finally bridge that long hiatus, giving India the capacity to produce aircraft that suit its growing domestic network.

The country’s demand for regional jets is projected to exceed 200 aircraft in the next decade, with many needed for short routes across the subcontinent and the Indian Ocean. The HAL-UAC deal, therefore, arrives at a moment of both market opportunity and strategic necessity.

Strategic Partnership Amid Global Realignment

The collaboration also carries geopolitical weight. As Russia faces Western sanctions following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, partnerships with Asian economies like India have gained renewed importance. For New Delhi, this agreement blends economic pragmatism with industrial ambition, leveraging Russian technology to strengthen local capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.

HAL’s tie-up with UAC is not just an industrial agreement but a signal of intent. If the project progresses successfully, India could emerge as a credible manufacturer in the civil aviation sector, producing aircraft that meet both domestic and regional needs.

The initiative aligns seamlessly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India vision, promising a future where Indian skies are increasingly filled with aircraft built on Indian soil.