NEW DELHI. Russia is seeking a larger role in India’s civil aviation sector, showcasing three passenger aircraft and proposing local manufacturing and maintenance facilities as New Delhi accelerates efforts to connect smaller cities and towns.
The pitch is being made at the first Innoprom.India exhibition, being held at Bharat Mandapam from September 9 to 11. The industrial trade fair, organised alongside the BRICS Leaders’ Summit, brings together Russian and Indian companies across sectors including transport, energy, technology, space and urban infrastructure. More than 120 companies from the two countries are participating, according to reports from the event.
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which brings together manufacturers including Sukhoi, MiG, Ilyushin and Tupolev, is presenting the IL-114-300 turboprop, the SJ-100 short-range jet and the MC-21 medium-range airliner.
The aircraft are being positioned for different parts of India’s rapidly expanding domestic aviation market. UAC says the IL-114-300 is suited to smaller airports and short runways, making it a potential candidate for routes under the government’s regional connectivity programme.
The SJ-100, which can carry up to 103 passengers, is being promoted for connections between major cities, regional centres and smaller towns. The larger MC-21 is intended for higher-demand domestic routes and would compete in a market dominated by Airbus and Boeing narrow-body aircraft.
India’s regional aviation plans provide an important opening for Moscow. Under the Modified UDAN scheme approved in March, the government aims to develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips. The programme has been allocated ₹12,159 crore over eight years and forms part of the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 goal of expanding infrastructure and building a globally competitive aviation ecosystem.
UAC is offering more than aircraft sales. The company is proposing localisation of production, component manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in India. Such arrangements could appeal to New Delhi’s push for domestic manufacturing and greater self-reliance in strategic industries.
The most advanced proposal involves production of the SJ-100 in India with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). UAC and HAL signed an agreement in January covering licensed production, sales and the manufacture of assemblies, parts and components required for maintenance. UAC is also expected to assist HAL in establishing or upgrading production facilities.
UAC chief executive Vadim Badekha said more than 80 per cent of the licensing agreement had been finalised, with a formal contract expected soon. The companies hope to conclude an agreement with the first Indian operator at the Aero India exhibition in 2027.
Russia is also pursuing the IL-114-300. Following discussions at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad, UAC signed a preliminary agreement with Hyderabad-based Flamingo Aerospace for six aircraft aimed at serving underserved routes and smaller airports. Further agreements are expected during Innoprom.India.
The commercial push comes as Russia rebuilds its aviation industry around domestically produced aircraft and components after access to Western technology and supply chains was disrupted following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The PD-8 engine, developed for the SJ-100 and displayed at the exhibition, received its type certificate in June, according to event coverage.
However, entering India’s airline market will require more than competitive aircraft and political goodwill. Operators will assess certification, financing, delivery schedules, spare-parts availability, maintenance support and passenger economics. Russia’s ability to establish a dependable long-term supply chain will be central to converting the current proposals into firm orders.
For Moscow, the exhibition marks an attempt to turn a defence-centred relationship with New Delhi into a broader industrial and commercial partnership. For India, Russian aircraft could widen the pool of options as the country seeks to make regional air travel more accessible and build a stronger domestic aerospace manufacturing base.
