India is set to manufacture a complete passenger aircraft for the first time, marking a major achievement in the country’s aviation sector. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has partnered with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to produce the SJ-100 passenger jet in India. This agreement shows the growing cooperation between India and Russia even at a time when the United States is unhappy with India’s increasing ties with Moscow.

The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft designed for short-distance flights. HAL believes that this jet can be a “game changer” in improving regional air connectivity within India. The aircraft will support the government’s UDAN scheme, which aims to make air travel more affordable and accessible for people in smaller cities. The UDAN scheme was launched in 2016 to connect tier-II and tier-III cities with major airports.

Under the latest agreement, HAL will have the rights to manufacture the SJ-100 for Indian customers. This project is being seen as a big step toward self-reliance in the aerospace industry under the vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” Before this, India had not completely manufactured a passenger aircraft for several decades. The last such example was the AVRO HS-748 aircraft, which HAL produced between 1961 and 1988.

Globally, more than 200 SJ-100 jets have already been built and are currently being used by around 16 airline operators. The aircraft has several practical advantages, including low operating costs.

It can also fly in extreme weather conditions ranging from very cold climates at minus 55 degrees Celsius to high-temperature regions up to 45 degrees Celsius. Also, the aircraft can accommodate about 103 passengers and has a travel range of up to 3,530 kilometers, making it suitable for regional routes.

Experts say that India will require over 200 such narrow-body jets in the coming decade due to rapid growth in air travel. The partnership with Russia ensures that India can meet a large part of this demand through domestic production.

The development also highlights strong India-Russia relations at a time when India is facing pressure from the United States. The US has announced a higher tariff on some Indian imports to protest India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Washington believes that buying Russian crude supports Russia in its war against Ukraine.

However, India has defended its decision, pointing out that other countries like China continue to import Russian oil in even larger quantities. This new aircraft manufacturing project reflects India’s ambition to strengthen its aviation industry, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, and expand affordable air connectivity across the country.