In a huge leap for the Make-in-India initiative, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has joined hands with a Russian firm to produce passenger aircraft in India.
State-owned HAL signed a memorandum of understanding with United Aircraft Corporation, a company partly owned by the Russian government. Through the deal, HAL has acquired the rights to manufacture SJ-100 civilian aircraft for domestic customers.
Improve regional connectivity
The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft used for short-haul. The aircraft has a passenger capacity of 75-100 and can fly up to 3,530 kilometers.
The new generation Russian jet was earlier named the Sukhoi Superjet 100.
There are over 200 such aircraft operated by 16 airliners.
Though a detailed production schedule, scale or localisation level has not been announced, the deal marks the first time wherein a complete civilian aircraft would be produced in India.
HAL described the deal as a game-changer for short-haul connectivity under India’s UDAN scheme.
Landmark step
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the signing of the MoU as a landmark step for the Indian civil aviation sector.
Singh said, “The SJ-100 will be a game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN Scheme and marks a major stride towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in civil aviation. SJ-100 will be the first complete passenger aircraft to be made in the country since the AVRO era. The manufacturing will also strengthen the private sector and create direct and indirect jobs in the aviation industry,” Mr. Singh said.
