Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly produce the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India. The agreement was concluded in Moscow on 27 October 2025.
According to a press release issued by HAL, the MoU was signed by Prabhat Ranjan of HAL and Oleg Bogomolov of PJSC-UAC in the presence of D. K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, and Vadim Badeka, Director General of PJSC-UAC. The arrangement grants HAL the rights to manufacture SJ-100 aircraft for domestic customers.
The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body passenger aircraft, with more than 200 units currently in operation across 16 commercial airline operators worldwide. Originally introduced as the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100), the platform was re-branded SJ-100 following restructuring of its manufacturer.
HAL stated that the aircraft is expected to play a key role in improving short-haul connectivity in India under the government’s regional connectivity initiative.
The company described the collaboration as the first instance of complete passenger aircraft production in India since HAL’s manufacture of the AVRO HS-748 between 1961 and 1988. Industry estimates suggest India’s aviation sector will require over 200 jets of this category in the next decade for regional routes, along with an additional 350 aircraft for operations connecting the Indian Ocean region and nearby international destinations.
HAL said the project will strengthen the domestic civil aviation manufacturing ecosystem, generate employment opportunities, and mark a significant step in developing indigenous capabilities in passenger aircraft production.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, headquartered in Bengaluru, is a Maharatna central public sector enterprise engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft, helicopters, engines, and related systems for the defence and civil aviation sectors.
