Passenger aircraft to be manufactured in India for the first time !

• India and Russia sign pact between establishments

• A setback for the United States

New Delhi – In a landmark development, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an agreement with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to jointly manufacture passenger aircraft in India for the first time. Under this collaboration, the two companies will produce ‘SJ-100’ aircraft domestically. This new partnership between Russia and India is being viewed as a setback for the United States.

Features of the ‘SJ-100’ aircraft

The ‘SJ-100’ is a twin-engine, narrow-body passenger aircraft with a seating capacity of 100 passengers. At present, more than 16 commercial aviation companies across the world operate this aircraft, and over 200 units have been produced so far. According to HAL, this aircraft will bring a major transformation to India’s UDAN scheme by strengthening short-distance air connectivity. Under the agreement, HAL has been granted the rights to manufacture ‘SJ-100’ aircraft for domestic customers.

India to require around 550 ‘SJ-100’ aircraft

It is estimated that over the next 10 years, India’s aviation sector will require more than 200 such narrow-body passenger aircraft to meet regional connectivity needs. Additionally, an estimated demand for another 350 aircraft is expected to arise to serve international tourist destinations across the Indian Ocean region.