Russian aircraft manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has revealed that Indian airlines have expressed interest in acquiring between 100 and 200 Russian-built SJ-100 regional jets and Il-114-300 turboprop aircraft, highlighting a potentially significant shift in India’s fast-growing civil aviation sector.
The disclosure was made by UAC Chief Executive Vadim Badekha during an interview with Russian state news agency TASS, where he described India as the first foreign market to demonstrate substantial interest in Russia’s latest civilian aircraft offerings.
“India was the first to show serious interest in our aviation equipment. We participated in Wings India, where we showcased the SJ-100 and Il-114-300. Indian airlines have expressed demand for the Il-114-300 and SJ-100; we are talking about 100-200 aircraft,” Badekha said.
The announcement comes amid accelerating aviation growth in India, which is projected to require approximately 2,200 new commercial aircraft between 2025 and 2035 to support fleet expansion and replace aging aircraft as passenger demand continues to surge.
The reported interest follows a series of developments aimed at deepening aviation cooperation between India and Russia. At the center of these efforts is a landmark agreement between India’s state-owned aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and UAC to manufacture the SJ-100 regional jet in India.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Moscow in October 2025 and is widely viewed as a potentially transformative moment for India’s civil aerospace industry.
HAL announced the agreement on social media, stating that the two companies had signed an MoU for the production of the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India. The project could mark the first time a complete passenger aircraft is manufactured domestically in the country.
If implemented successfully, the venture would represent a historic milestone in India’s efforts to develop an indigenous civil aviation manufacturing ecosystem and reduce reliance on imported aircraft.
India’s previous experience in manufacturing a passenger aircraft dates back more than six decades. HAL produced the British-designed AVRO HS748 under license beginning in 1961, ultimately building 89 aircraft before production concluded in 1988. Most of those aircraft were delivered to the Indian Air Force, while a smaller number entered service with Indian Airlines.
Since then, India has largely remained dependent on foreign manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, ATR, and Embraer for its commercial aviation requirements.
The SJ-100, formerly known as the Sukhoi Superjet, is a twin-engine regional jet designed for short- and medium-haul routes. The aircraft can accommodate between 87 and 108 passengers, placing it squarely within the regional aviation segment.
The jet first flew in May 2008 and entered commercial service in April 2011. Despite facing challenges in international markets over the years, the aircraft has established a notable presence, particularly within Russia.
More than 230 SJ-100 aircraft have been produced to date, with approximately 180 operating within Russia. The aircraft has also been exported to countries including Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Thailand. One of its earliest international successes came in 2013 when Mexican carrier Interjet placed an order for 22 aircraft.
According to HAL, the SJ-100 could play a critical role in supporting India’s regional aviation ambitions, particularly under the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which seeks to improve connectivity between smaller cities and underserved regions.
“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,” the company stated following the signing of the MoU.
The agreement grants HAL manufacturing rights for Indian customers, potentially allowing the company to build a domestic supply chain around the aircraft while generating skilled employment and technological expertise.
In a joint statement, HAL and UAC described the partnership as evidence of the longstanding strategic relationship between India and Russia.
“This collaboration stands as a testament to the mutual trust and long-standing partnership between HAL and UAC. It marks a new milestone in India’s journey towards becoming self-reliant in civil aircraft production,” the companies said.
Badekha has indicated that production of the first SJ-100 aircraft in India could begin within three years. He described a manufacturing rate of between 20 and 40 aircraft annually as a realistic target.
Such a production pace would provide India with a significant domestic aircraft manufacturing capability while helping meet rising demand from regional carriers.
According to the UAC chief, the broader Indian and neighboring regional markets could collectively support demand for between 200 and 300 SJ-100 aircraft over time.
HAL estimates that India alone will require more than 200 regional jets over the next decade to support expanding air connectivity networks and increasing passenger traffic beyond major metropolitan hubs.
Alongside the SJ-100, Russia is also promoting the Il-114-300 turboprop aircraft as a solution for regional connectivity.
The aircraft is an extensively modernized version of the Soviet-era Il-114 and has been specifically designed to operate on short-haul routes, including flights to smaller airports with limited infrastructure.
The Il-114-300 can carry up to 68 passengers and offers a range of approximately 1,500 kilometers, making it suitable for connecting remote and underserved destinations.
UAC has positioned the aircraft as a competitor to established Western turboprops such as the ATR 72, emphasizing its lower operating costs and reduced dependence on Western supply chains.
The company believes these characteristics could appeal to airlines in emerging markets seeking alternatives amid ongoing geopolitical and supply-chain uncertainties.
The aircraft completed key certification flights earlier this year, and serial production has been ramped up in Russia to meet domestic demand.
Interest in the Il-114-300 has already translated into a preliminary agreement with Indian startup Flamingo Aerospace.
The agreement, announced during the Wings India 2026 air show in Hyderabad, covers the planned supply of six Il-114-300 aircraft and marks one of the first tangible commercial outcomes of Russia’s push into the Indian civil aviation market.
The Hyderabad event also served as the international debut platform for both the SJ-100 and Il-114-300, providing Indian airlines and industry stakeholders an opportunity to evaluate the aircraft firsthand.
Flamingo Aerospace intends to deploy the turboprops on domestic routes, particularly in support of India’s expanding regional aviation network.
The agreement extends beyond aircraft procurement and includes provisions for localization and the development of aviation capabilities within India. Industry observers view this aspect as particularly significant because it aligns closely with New Delhi’s “Make in India” initiative and broader goals of building indigenous aerospace manufacturing capacity.
India is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with passenger numbers rising rapidly as economic growth, urbanization, and increased disposable incomes drive greater air travel demand.
Major Indian airlines have already placed record-breaking orders with Airbus and Boeing in recent years, collectively committing to hundreds of aircraft worth tens of billions of dollars.
Against this backdrop, Russia’s effort to secure a foothold in the Indian market represents both a commercial opportunity and a strategic partnership initiative.
While significant questions remain regarding certification, financing, support infrastructure, and airline acceptance, the reported interest in up to 200 Russian aircraft demonstrates that Indian operators are actively exploring options beyond traditional Western manufacturers.
Should the HAL-UAC partnership progress as planned and domestic production begin within the next few years, India could emerge not only as a major customer for Russian aircraft but also as a manufacturing hub for regional passenger jets.
For Russia, such a development would provide access to one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets. For India, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter in civil aircraft manufacturing—one that combines expanding domestic demand with ambitions for greater aerospace self-reliance.
