Indian airlines could receive up to 300 Russian short-haul SJ-100 aircraft, and negotiations between Russia and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on localizing their production have entered the final stage. This was reported by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and OAK.
HAL estimated the potential demand: according to the Indian state corporation, the need of local airlines for SJ-100s could reach 300 aircraft. This refers to an aircraft with a capacity of up to 103 passengers, which the Russian side proposes to use for connecting large cities with regional centers and small settlements.
At the same time, Moscow is discussing with New Delhi not only the supply of finished aircraft. OAK has been negotiating with HAL for several months on the localization of SJ-100 production, and, according to Oleg Bogomolov, Director for Civil Aviation Program Management at OAK, the parties expect to conclude a specific license agreement for the supply of the aircraft by the end of 2026. Earlier, OAK reported that it had agreed on more than 80% of such an agreement.
Russia's proposal includes re-equipping HAL's production facilities, localizing the production of components for repair and maintenance, as well as assembling SJ-100s in India and training local specialists.
Separately, the parties are considering cooperation in engine building, aerodynamic research, and airport infrastructure development.
For the SJ-100 itself, the Indian project could become significantly larger than a typical export contract: the potential 300 aircraft represent both a market for supplies and a basis for creating aircraft production within the country.