Русский
Indian airlines have expressed demand for up to 200 Russian Il-114-300 and SJ-100 aircraft, according to Vadim Badekha, the head of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), who manufacture these planes.
He stated that “India is showing 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.”
India has a significant need for such aircraft. It is the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, trailing only the US and China. Domestic airline capacity has nearly doubled over the past decade, averaging annual growth rates of 6.9%. Major Indian carriers have huge narrowbody aircraft orders on the books to fuel future expansion, with IndiGo and Air India accounting for well over 1,400 planes on order thus far.
Badekha noted that UAC signed an agreement with India’s HAL on the possible licensed production of the SJ-100 at their facilities, and stated that the production of the first “Superjet” aircraft in India could begin in three years. Badekha called the production rate of “Superjets” in India of 20-40 units per year a “good pace,” and overall, he estimated the potential of the Indian and nearby markets at 200-300 aircraft. According to him, the UAC believes that the Il-114-300 aircraft would also be localized in India.
In addition to the agreement with HAL, the UAC also signed a preliminary agreement for the supply of six Il-114-300 aircraft with the Indian private company Flamingo Aerospace.
Russia and India have been actively pursuing a joint production cooperation plan, with India keen to be involved in using Russian technology and know-how to produce aircraft in India. These range from the Brahmos cruise missile, to railway and shipbuilding.
