Русский
India’s state-backed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into a joint venture with Russia’s PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to manufacture Sukhoi SJ-100 superjets.
The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body Russian regional passenger aircraft already in commercial service, with more than 200 units operating across 16 airlines worldwide.
Under the arrangement, HAL will have the rights to manufacture the aircraft in India for domestic use. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and needs over 200 jets in the next decade to boost regional connectivity.
In October, HAL announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with UAC to produce civil commuter SJ-100 aircraft.
The SJ-100 will be a game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN scheme in India, which details the development and upgrading of 425 airports throughout the country.
The deal formalizes HAL’s role in certifying the SJ-100 locally and grants it a manufacturing and sales license. The UAC will provide technical assistance, design services, and specialist support to re-equip HAL’s facilities. Manufacturing the SJ-100 in India is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to boost domestic production capabilities.
Russia has a significant domestic aerospace industry; however, a previous over-reliance on Airbus and Boeing aircraft has seen the country concentrate on developing its own aviation industry after sanctions preventing Russian airlines from purchasing spare parts. Russia test-flew a Sukhoi 100 Superjet last year made exclusively from Russian-manufactured parts, including the engines.
India boasts several leading aerospace component manufacturers that contribute significantly to the growth and development of the aerospace industry, meaning joint ventures between the two sides are an effective way to develop each other’s sectors and diminish the role of Western manufacturers.
