India has taken a big step forward in the aviation sector with Russia. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s public joint stock company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Moscow on Monday (October 27). Under this agreement, the Sukhoi Superjet SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft will be manufactured in India.
This twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft has a capacity of about 100 passengers and a range of about 3,000 kilometres. It is specially designed for domestic flights. It is reported that more than 200 such aircraft have been built worldwide and more than 16 airline operators are using them.
‘Make in India’ will get a boost
According to experts, the manufacturing of SJ-100 in India could prove to be a major game changer for the country’s regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). This will go a long way in connecting small cities and towns across the country with the air network. With this agreement, HAL has got the exclusive right to manufacture SJ-100 aircraft in India. This project will not only advance India’s civil aviation sector but also strengthen the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
