HAL and Russia’s UAC to Jointly Manufacture SJ-100 Passenger Jet in India

In a landmark development for India’s civil aviation sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-produce the SJ-100 civil passenger jet in India. The agreement signifies India’s re-entry into passenger aircraft manufacturing after nearly four decades, aligning closely with the nation’s “Make in India” and self-reliance objectives.

Strategic Collaboration Between HAL and UAC

The MoU was signed in Moscow by HAL’s Prabhat Ranjan and UAC’s Oleg Bogomolov, in the presence of HAL Chairman and Managing Director D. K. Sunil and UAC Director General Vadim Badekha. The deal, finalised at the highest governmental levels, represents a renewed thrust on developing indigenous civil aviation capabilities. HAL is expected to take the lead in setting up production lines in India, marking a pivotal shift from being a defence-oriented manufacturer to entering the civilian aircraft domain.

Production and Localisation Plans

While finer details of localisation are still being negotiated, sources indicate that the aircraft will be produced domestically with significant technology transfer from Russia. The partnership is anticipated to create thousands of high-skill jobs, stimulate ancillary industries, and strengthen India’s long-term ambitions to become a global aviation manufacturing hub. For HAL, this venture marks a return to passenger aircraft production after the AVRO HS-748 project, which ended in 1988.

SJ-100: Tailored for India’s Short-Haul Market

The SJ-100, a twin-engine regional jet with a proven track record across international airlines, has over 200 units in operation globally. Designed for short-haul connectivity, it is expected to support India’s UDAN scheme, which promotes affordable air travel to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Under the new arrangement, HAL will hold exclusive rights to manufacture and supply SJ-100 aircraft for India’s domestic market.

Exam Oriented Facts

• HAL and Russia’s UAC signed an MoU in October 2025 to produce SJ-100 jets in India.
• The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body regional passenger aircraft.
• This marks India’s first passenger aircraft production since the AVRO HS-748 project (1961–1988).
• The initiative supports the government’s UDAN scheme to boost regional air connectivity.

Reviving India’s Aviation Manufacturing Legacy

Experts view the HAL-UAC collaboration as a major leap in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in aerospace. The project is expected to build a strong ecosystem of suppliers, maintenance networks, and design expertise, strengthening India’s positioning in the global civil aviation market. Moreover, the move underscores New Delhi’s resolve to deepen industrial partnerships with Moscow despite external geopolitical pressures, signalling a new era for India’s aviation industry.