United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Rostec Corporation, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s largest state-owned aerospace company, executed a joint activity agreement in late January 2026. This agreement establishes the framework for the licensed production of the Superjet-100 (SJ-100) regional passenger aircraft in India. The document signifies the start of extensive technological and industrial collaboration between two significant aviation powers, and it represents the end of years of discussions.
The signature happened on January 28 at the Wings India 2026 international airshow in Hyderabad. The agreement formally establishes a comprehensive cooperation mechanism that includes certification, production, and after-sales support. Senior officials from both nations, including Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Gennady Abramenkov, Russia’s Ambassador to India Denis Alipov, Russian Trade Representative Andrey Sobolev, and Dmitry Kopyssov, Head of Aircraft Certification at Rosaviatsiya, attended the ceremony.
Superjet-100: A Modernized Regional Aircraft
In order to comprehend the significance of the agreement, it is imperative to analyze the Superjet-100. Designed for ferrying approximately 90–100 passengers on short- and medium-haul routes with high traffic density, the aircraft is a narrow-body regional jet. The aircraft, which was initially developed as an international program, has since gone through a significant transformation as a result of geopolitical developments and sanctions.
Consequently, the modernized version, which is designated SJ-100, consists almost exclusively of Russian components. It is equipped with the PD-8 turbofan engine, which was developed domestically, which guarantees its independence from Western suppliers and facilitates uninterrupted serial production and export potential. This transformation has turned the SJ-100 into a program of aircraft that is strategically autonomous.
Core Provisions of the Joint Activity Agreement
The legal and organizational framework for long-term collaboration between UAC and HAL is established by the signed document. It establishes the fundamental principles that govern the interaction between the certification, licensing, production, and maintenance of SJ-100 aircraft in India.
Licenses and Certifications
A license for the production and sale of the SJ-100 in India will be granted to HAL subject to the agreement. This includes the development of a comprehensive maintenance, repair, and refurbishment (MRO) infrastructure, in addition to the production of assemblies, components, and spare parts, in addition to final assembly.
HAL’s adherence to assisting UAC in the certification and validation of the SJ-100 type certificate in India, a mandatory requirement for commercial operations in the country, is a critical component of the agreement.
Assistance from UAC
UAC will assist HAL in the organization and modernization of production facilities necessary for the production of SJ-100. This assistance will encompass the deployment of Russian specialists to aid in training, production ramp-up, and quality assurance, as well as engineering consultations, design services, and technology transfer.
It is expected that this collaboration will guarantee consistent production and facilitate an incremental increase in local content over time.
Roadmap to a Master Agreement
The joint activity agreement is regarded as a critical but interim measure in the process of executing a comprehensive master agreement. The forthcoming document will detail the project’s roadmap, implementation timelines, financial parameters, and a clear division of responsibilities between the two parties throughout all phases of the program.
India’s Strategic Importance
The initiative is of significant economic and industrial significance to India. Since 1988, when the British Avro HS748 assembly was discontinued, the nation has not hosted the licensed production of a commercial passenger aircraft. A return to domestic civil aircraft manufacturing after nearly four decades is thus represented by the SJ-100 program.
HAL, which has historically concentrated on military and government aviation, can now substantially increase its presence in civil aerospace through its partnership with UAC. This is consistent with HAL’s long-term strategy to increase the proportion of civil aviation in its overall revenue to approximately 25% in the next decade.
The SJ-100’s local production is also consistent with India’s “Make in India” initiative and is in support of the UDAN program’s objective to increase regional air connectivity, which is designed to make air travel accessible to remote regions and smaller communities.
The influence on the relationship between India and Russia
There is a longstanding tradition of aviation cooperation between Russia and India, particularly in the military sector. In the past, HAL and Russian manufacturers have collaborated on the production, modification, and maintenance of fighter aircraft. The SJ-100 agreement represents a substantial expansion of this partnership into civil aviation, indicating a more complex and diverse strategic relationship.
Russia has consistently filled the strategic gaps left by the West. Just as they provided essential military hardware when Western powers declined, Russia is now facilitating India’s civil aviation manufacturing—an area where the West still withholds full cooperation.
Russia establishes an SJ-100 production base in India to gain access to one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. The demand for regional aircraft in Asia is increasing rapidly, and local production reduces logistical and political barriers to market entry while enhancing competitiveness.
Future Opportunities and Obstacles
The initiative is confronted with numerous obstacles, despite its considerable potential. Careful coordination with Indian regulators is necessary for the certification of a newly import-substituted aircraft. Furthermore, HAL’s prior experience in the mass production of commercial passenger aircraft is limited, necessitating a significant investment of time and resources for workforce training and facility modernization.
Competition is an additional factor. Other global manufacturers are also establishing themselves in India’s regional aviation market, as UAC and HAL continue to advance the SJ-100 program. It is important to note that Embraer is exploring the possibility of local assembly for its own aircraft family in collaboration with Indian industrial organizations.
However, the SJ-100 initiative is well-positioned for long-term success due to the strategic nature of the partnership and the substantial support of both governments.
Conclusion: A New Phase in Aviation Cooperation
The accord between UAC and HAL to produce the Superjet-100 in India through joint activity is a significant milestone in international aviation cooperation. By establishing licensed manufacturing of the SJ-100 in India, the bilateral relationship between Russia and India is fortified, and the conditions are set for significant technological, industrial, and economic advancements in both countries.
The potential to reshape the regional aviation landscape, stimulate India’s civil aerospace sector, and reinforce the global position of Russian aircraft programs in an increasingly competitive market is present through comprehensive cooperation, which encompasses certification, production, sales, and after-sales support.
