SJ-100 To Be First Made In India Passenger Aircraft As HAL Inks Landmark Pact With Russia’s UAC

For the first-time, a complete passenger aircraft will be made in India, which would eventually prove to be a game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN Scheme. At a time when India-US ties have become strained over our oil purchases from Russia, leading defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a deal with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

In a significant step towards deepening strategic and industrial ties, India and Russia have finalised an agreement to jointly produce a twin-engine narrow-body passenger aircraft — the SJ-100 — designed for short-haul flights. The collaboration marks a major milestone in India’s aviation journey, being the first-ever passenger aircraft manufacturing project.

The agreement was formalised between HAL and Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC-UAC) in Moscow on Monday (October 27, 2025).

SJ-100 project: Why is it a game changer for Indian aviation?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has hailed the deal as a major milestone for the country’s aviation industry. In a post on X, Singh said the agreement would boost India’s domestic civil aviation manufacturing capabilities and support regional air connectivity. ” The SJ-100 will be a game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN Scheme,” he wrote.

According to HAL, the SJ-100 aircraft will revolutionise short-haul regional connectivity, especially under the government’s UDAN scheme, which promotes affordable air travel to underserved regions. As part of the deal, HAL will have rights to manufacture SJ-100 aircraft for domestic customers.

With over 200 SJ-100 aircraft already in operation worldwide across 16 airline operators, the platform has a proven performance record, making it an ideal fit for India’s expanding civil aviation market.

How does this support Aatmanirbhar Bharat in civil aviation?

HAL described the project as the beginning of a “new chapter” for India’s aviation sector, a tangible step towards realising the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision in civil aircraft manufacturing. The initiative is expected to strengthen the domestic private sector, create high-skill jobs, and build indigenous capability in aircraft design, production, and maintenance.

Industry estimates suggest that over the next decade, India will need more than 200 aircraft in the regional connectivity segment and another 350 jets for routes across the Indian Ocean region, serving nearby international tourist hubs.

This positions the SJ-100 project as a critical enabler of India’s future aviation growth and export potential.

SJ-100 key features

Earlier called the Sukhoi Superjet 100, SJ-100 is a new generation short-haul jet aircraft of Russian origin. It is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft and currently over 200 SJ-100 aircraft have been manufactured. The SJ-100 is capable of accommodating 103 seats and has a flight range of 3,530 kilometres.

It is reported that the narrow-body aircraft can have operating costs for airlines. It can operate at extreme weather conditions, from -55 degrees Celsius to +45 degrees Celsius, making it a perfect fit for Indian weather conditions.

How does SJ-100 deal compare to past indigenous efforts?

This collaboration marks the first passenger aircraft production in India since HAL’s AVRO HS-748 program, which ran from 1961 to 1988. The AVRO HS-748 served as a backbone for Indian Air Force transport operations, symbolizing India’s early strides in aircraft assembly.

The SJ-100 initiative, therefore, not only revives HAL’s legacy in passenger aircraft production but also redefines India’s aerospace ambitions in the 21st century.