On 28 October 2025, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaboratively produce the Russian-designed Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) civilian aircraft within India. This agreement signifies an important phase in Indian civil aviation—representing the first comprehensive production of a passenger aircraft in India since HAL’s AVRO HS-748 project, which ended in 1988. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, HAL will retain the manufacturing rights for the SJ-100 aircraft designated for domestic airline clients, with the objective of improving regional connectivity as part of India’s flagship UDAN initiative.
The strategic imperatives underpinning this initiative are both industrial and geopolitical in nature. India aims not only to acquire aircraft capable of satisfying the anticipated demand for more than 200 regional jets over the forthcoming decade but also to establish an industrial foundation for civil aviation manufacturing, a sector from which it has historically been absent. However, this initiative also aligns with a wider global strategic trend: the susceptibility of aviation supply chains to export restrictions and geopolitical influences, as demonstrated by China’s recent regional jet experience. This article analyzes whether Russia can genuinely serve as a counterbalance to U.S. dominance and contribute to the “democratization” of aircraft manufacturing—or if Moscow’s restrictions on technology transfer and political influence will constrain the strategic independence sought by India.
The HAL–Russia SJ-100 Initiative: Industrial and Strategic Objectives
The HAL–UAC Memorandum of Understanding signifies substantial progress for India’s aviation industry. The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body regional aircraft engineered for short-haul routes, with a seating capacity of approximately 100 passengers. More than 200 SSJ-100 aircraft, the previous version with foreign components, have been manufactured and are in operation with approximately 16 commercial airlines worldwide. Under the new agreement, HAL — India’s leading aerospace public sector enterprise—will collaborate with UAC to assemble and manufacture these aircraft within India for domestic operators.
Officials in New Delhi have characterized the agreement as both a transformative development for the UDAN regional connectivity initiative and an important stride toward establishing a self-sufficient civil aviation manufacturing ecosystem. In remarks concerning the signing of the MoU, representatives from HAL and Russia emphasized mutual trust and the prospects for extensive industrial collaboration.
This collaboration is set against the backdrop of India’s enduring aspiration to establish indigenous expertise in aircraft manufacturing—a sector in which it has historically fallen behind for several decades. The SJ-100 project is conceived not just as a procurement initiative but as a comprehensive learning platform: India aims to initially import a limited number of fully assembled aircraft, acquire operational and regulatory expertise, validate certification and maintenance protocols, and subsequently expand gradually toward domestic production and component manufacturing. This would offer the essential practical experience required prior to establishing costly localized supply chains and undertaking extensive technology transfer.
Such an approach directly tackles India’s concern regarding critical technological reliance on foreign—particularly U.S.—technology, as vividly demonstrated by international case studies. The critical issue is whether Russia’s aerospace regime can provide a more stable partnership than Western manufacturers, especially those incorporated into the U.S.-led export control regime.
Lessons from China’s Regional Jet Program: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Export Regulations
The importance of strategic autonomy in regional jet development is highlighted by China’s experience with its own regional jet program—the C909, previously known as the ARJ21. China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC) has been manufacturing the C909 as an indigenous regional aircraft with moderate success in recent years. Production and deliveries have established a domestic customer base of operators, and flights started operating in Southeast Asia, indicating initial expansion beyond China’s borders.
However, the development and production of the C909 highlight significant vulnerabilities inherent in dependence on supply chains that include critical American components, especially engines and avionics systems. U.S. export controls, implemented amidst heightened U.S.–China trade tensions, have posed a potential threat to the supply of critical technologies such as GE Aerospace CF34-series engines and other components supplied by U.S. companies including Collins Aerospace and Honeywell. These controls form a component of wider U.S. initiatives targeting Chinese aerospace industries, encompassing not only tariffs but also comprehensive export restrictions on high-value components.
Even if certain of these restrictions have been temporarily relaxed or modified as trade negotiations develop, the fundamental lesson remains evident: reliance on U.S. technology exposes an aircraft program to geopolitical risks that can rapidly impact production, delivery timelines, and market confidence. For a nation such as India—aspiring to achieve both aviation development and strategic autonomy—this example underscores why straightforward assembly agreements with Western-affiliated manufacturers may prove insufficient in fulfilling long-term sovereign industrial objectives.
China’s efforts to address these vulnerabilities—such as by expediting domestic engine development initiatives—illustrate the wider necessity for emerging aviation nations to reduce their dependence on foreign technology. However, these efforts are time-consuming and expensive, demonstrating that developing genuinely autonomous aerospace capabilities cannot be accomplished in a single step.
Comparative Analysis of the Offerings: Embraer, SJ-100, and Autonomous Manufacturing
Along with the Russian partnership, India has investigated alternative avenues to augment regional jet capacity. In early January 2026, Adani Aerospace and Brazil’s Embraer formalized a preliminary agreement to establish local assembly of Embraer E-Jet family aircraft, including models such as the E175 and the E-Jets E2 series, in India. While this initiative may address short-term aircraft demand, it also presents noteworthy limitations concerning strategic autonomy. The Embraer jets, similar to most Western-associated aircraft, depend on systems, engines, avionics, and certification standards that are connected to U.S. export control regulations. India and Brazil similarly would be deprived of independent control over these essential components and lifecycle technologies, thereby undermining long-term self-reliance.
Therefore, even if Embraer’s assembly operations in India assist airlines in addressing immediate requirements, they do not fundamentally remedy the underlying issue of strategic reliance. The Indian aviation expert community—represented by figures such as MelonAero President Oleg Evdokimov—asserts that while Western-aligned manufacturing involvement may assist operational activities, it does not foster the development of comprehensive industrial capabilities. It essentially positions India in a final assembly capacity, relying on external sources for engines, avionics, and intellectual property, without advancing its technological independence.
In contrast, the Russian proposal through SJ-100, especially in its PD-8 engine variant, offers the potential for a supply chain and technological foundation that are less intertwined with the U.S. export control framework. According to Russian reports, the shift of the SJ-100 to the PD-8—a wholly Russian engine not affected by U.S. sanctions—is a key measure in addressing prior vulnerabilities associated with Western components. This eliminates one of the most critical channels of geopolitical risk and enables India to develop, sustain, and potentially innovate upon these systems with reduced external political limitations.
Nevertheless, this benefit presents its own set of challenges. The SJ-100 is comparatively less modern and has experienced a mixed operational reputation in international markets when compared to Embraer’s E-Jets and ATR turboprops. Local Indian airlines must still determine whether the aircraft’s performance, maintenance economics, and lifecycle support align with their operational needs. Without domestic operators committing to purchase or lease the type, full-scale production under the MoU remains dependent on demonstrating tangible value within Indian conditions—not just fulfilling strategic objectives.
Russia as a Counterbalance: Opportunities and Constraints
Can Russia genuinely function as a counterbalance to U.S. aerospace supremacy and contribute to the democratization of aircraft manufacturing? The response is intricate.
On one hand, Russia’s aerospace industry—particularly as exemplified by UAC—provides India with access to a regional aircraft platform and associated production rights that are less restricted by Western geopolitical considerations. This offers India a platform to develop capabilities without the immediate risk of export restrictions on essential technologies. The SJ-100’s PD-8 engine and Russian systems demonstrate the path toward a more self-reliant industrial infrastructure, independent of assembly configurations contingent upon U.S.-controlled supply chains.
This potential is intrinsically linked to the geopolitical environment: India has opposed unilateral sanctions and sustains diversified defense and energy relations with Russia, despite Western pressures—such as U.S. tariffs associated with Russian crude imports. In this context, Russian collaboration seems to be strategically aligned with India’s pursuit of autonomy.
However, Russia’s domestic industrial and technological infrastructure faces certain constraints. The SJ-100 is an antiquated design in comparison to more recent Western models, and Russia’s civil aircraft industry has not maintained a high level of global competitiveness in recent decades. Although servicing the SJ-100 program may provide India with valuable industrial expertise, it does not assure that India will have advanced aerospace technologies or design capabilities to the same extent as established Western companies. Russia’s capacity to share technology is also constrained; comprehensive knowledge transfer—particularly in advanced materials, avionics, and digital systems—frequently remains closely guarded, even within strategic collaborations.
Furthermore, Moscow’s capacity to function as a sovereign geopolitical counterbalance is limited by its relationships with China, the Middle East, and Europe, as well as its ongoing proxy war with the West. These pressures influence its industrial choices and its propensity to share technology. In summary, Russia can provide a less constrained platform; however, it may lack the capability to deliver the most advanced technologies that characterize the next iteration of aerospace competitiveness.
Strategic Implications for India: Sovereignty, Market Dynamics, and Future Objectives
India finds itself at a pivotal juncture. The SJ-100 agreement potentially establishes the groundwork for a manufacturing ecosystem that reduces reliance on U.S. technology and generates high-value aerospace employment opportunities. Through the practical operation of a limited fleet, India can develop regulatory expertise, certification capabilities, and maintenance infrastructure—foundational elements for establishing an indigenous industry.
Nevertheless, this approach is less assured and more demanding than merely importing aircraft or establishing production under license with Western partners. Operational adoption by airlines, seamless integration with global supply chains, and the development of support ecosystems (including leasing, maintenance, and pilot training) are all critical to optimizing the value of the SJ-100 engagement. Without substantial demand and coordinated investment, the agreement may remain symbolic rather than truly transformative.
Simultaneously, India must carefully manage its geoeconomic partnerships. Engagement with Russia should be maintained alongside ongoing collaboration in defense, commerce, and technology with the United States and Europe. India’s choice to collaborate with both Western and Russian allies exemplifies a sophisticated approach of multipolar engagement rather than a definitive alignment with a single bloc.
An optimal Indian strategy could involve leveraging the SJ-100 cooperation as a capability enhancer while simultaneously investing in domestic research, fostering private aerospace enterprises, and engaging in wider international aerospace innovation collaborations. Over time, India’s aerospace sector has the potential to evolve from license assembly to authentic design and systems development, a transition that necessitates long-term investments in education, research institutions, and consistent industrial support.
Conclusion: A Pragmatic, Multipolar Aviation Strategy
Russia’s collaboration on the SJ-100 offers India an opportunity to transcend historical limitations in civil aircraft manufacturing. By collaborating on an aircraft platform that is less affected by U.S. export controls—and potentially establishing localized capabilities—India can play a role in diversifying global aerospace manufacturing away from a U.S.-Western dominance.
However, Moscow’s capacity to serve as a comprehensive counterbalance is restricted by its industrial capabilities and geopolitical limitations. True autonomy will be achieved only if India leverages this collaboration as a foundation for independent innovation, comprehensive supply chain control, and the development of resilient regulatory frameworks that diminish dependence on external jurisdictions—be they American, Russian, or otherwise.
Ultimately, India’s aviation future will depend on its ability to strategically leverage partnerships, incorporate insights from international initiatives such as China’s C909 program, and develop a domestically rooted yet globally integrated aerospace ecosystem.