HAL, Russia’s UAC Sign MoU to Manufacture SJ-100 Passenger Aircraft in India

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) have signed an MoU to jointly manufacture the SJ-100 civil passenger aircraft in India. The agreement, signed in Moscow on October 27, 2025, marks India’s return to full-scale passenger aircraft production after nearly four decades.

India to Resume Passenger Aircraft Production

• Under the deal, HAL will have exclusive rights to produce the SJ-100 for Indian customers. This will be the first complete passenger aircraft manufactured in India since the AVRO HS-748 (1961–1988), boosting the country’s civil aviation capabilities and industrial base.

Supporting UDAN and Regional Connectivity

• The twin-engine, narrow-body SJ-100 is already in service with over 200 units operating across 16 airlines worldwide. HAL said the aircraft will enhance short-haul connectivity under the UDAN Scheme, catering to growing demand from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. India is projected to need more than 200 aircraft of this class over the next decade.

Push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat

• The collaboration supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by localizing aircraft manufacturing, creating thousands of jobs, and strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem. It is also expected to make India a hub for regional aircraft production and maintenance.

Exam-Oriented Facts

• MoU signed in Moscow on October 27, 2025.

• HAL’s last passenger aircraft was the AVRO HS-748 (1961–1988).

• SJ-100: Twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft by Russia’s UAC.

• Project aligns with UDAN Scheme and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Government Reaction
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the agreement as a “landmark step” towards self-reliance, calling it a major milestone in India’s civil aviation revival.