New Delhi. In a historic step for the Indian civil aviation sector, India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to manufacture SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the manufacturing of SJ-100 in India for short-range connectivity under the UDAN scheme will prove to be a game changer and a major step towards achieving ‘self-reliance’ in civil aviation.
In a landmark step for the Indian civil aviation sector, HAL and Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) have signed an MoU for the production of SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India.
The SJ-100 will be a game changer for short-haul connectivity… https://t.co/6ADTpJU5aJ
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 28, 2025
The SJ-100 will be the first full-fledged passenger aircraft built in the country since the Avro era. This construction will also strengthen the private sector and create direct and indirect employment in the aviation industry. Along with this, the Defense Minister has congratulated HAL and other stakeholders. AHL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. D.K. In the presence of Sunil and UAC Director General Vadim Badekha, HAH representative Prabhat Ranjan and UAC Oleg Bogomolov signed the MoU.
Characteristics of SJ-100 aircraft
The SJ-100 is a state-of-the-art twin-engine small passenger aircraft. This aircraft is mainly designed for short and medium distance flights. The SJ-100 aircraft has a seating capacity of 75 to 100 passengers. It can easily fly for a distance of 3000 to 4000 kilometers. Its speed is 800 to 900 km per hour. Due to its small engine, it consumes less fuel, due to which this aircraft is considered environment friendly.