Hindustan Aeronautics has signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation for the production of civil commuter aircraft SJ-100. Under the arrangement, HAL will have the right to manufacture SJ-100 aircraft for domestic customers.
This will also be the first time that a complete passenger aircraft will be manufactured in India. The last such project carried out in India was HAL’s production of AVRO HS748, which started in 1961 and ended in 1988.
SJ-100 specification and uses
The Russian origin SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft. The aircraft is primarily used for commercial purposes. The United Aircraft Corporation has manufactured over 200 such aircraft. These aircraft are used by 16 commercial airline operators.
HAL stated that the SJ-100 will be a game changer for short-haul connectivity under India’s UDAN scheme. The UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, is the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s aim to increase via-air regional connectivity in India.
Significance for Indian market
The SJ-100 manufacturing contract awarded to Hindustan Aeronautics comes at a time when air travel is gaining significant traction in India. Major airline operators Air India and Indigo have planned to add over 1000 aircraft to their fleets.
According to HAL’s estimates, over the next ten years, the Indian aviation sector will require more than 200 jets for regional connectivity alone.
“The manufacturing of the SJ-100 aircraft marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Indian aviation industry. It’s a step towards fulfilling the dream of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in the civil aviation sector.” HAL said in a statement.
The public sector company added that the local manufacturing will also strengthen the private sector and create direct and indirect jobs in the aviation industry
