HAL and Russia’s UAC Sign MoU to Manufacture SJ-100 Passenger Aircraft in India

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of the civil commuter aircraft SJ-100 in India. The agreement, inked in Moscow on October 27, 2025, marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in the civil aviation sector and is being hailed as a transformative step for regional air connectivity.

India to Manufacture Complete Passenger Aircraft After Decades

Under the new arrangement, HAL will have exclusive rights to manufacture the SJ-100 for domestic customers. The project will make India self-reliant in producing modern commercial jets, marking the country’s first complete passenger aircraft manufacturing since the AVRO HS-748, produced between 1961 and 1988. HAL described the collaboration as a product of mutual trust between the two organisations and a “new chapter” in the nation’s aviation history.

SJ-100: A Boost for UDAN and Regional Connectivity

The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft, with more than 200 units already in operation globally across 16 airline operators. HAL stated that the aircraft will be a “game changer” for short-haul operations under India’s UDAN Scheme, aimed at improving air connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The company estimated that India will require over 200 jets in this category in the next decade, along with 350 additional aircraft for regional routes across the Indian Ocean region.

‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in Civil Aviation

HAL emphasised that manufacturing the SJ-100 in India aligns with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The initiative is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen the domestic aerospace supply chain, and provide a boost to the private aviation sector. It will also reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers and enable India to emerge as a regional hub for aircraft production and maintenance.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body civil aircraft developed by Russia’s UAC.
• HAL’s last passenger aircraft production was the AVRO HS-748 (1961–1988).
• The MoU was signed in Moscow on October 27, 2025, by Prabhat Ranjan (HAL) and Oleg Bogomolov (UAC).
• The project supports the Government of India’s UDAN Scheme and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Defence Minister Hails MoU as Landmark Step

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the agreement as a “landmark step” for India’s civil aviation sector, noting that it signifies a major stride toward self-reliance. He highlighted that the SJ-100 will be the first fully manufactured passenger aircraft in India since the AVRO era and will play a crucial role in strengthening the domestic aviation industry and employment generation.