Russia recently unveiled the Superjet SJ‑100 and the turboprop Il‑114‑300 at the Wings India 2026 airshow in Hyderabad. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), India’s state‑run defence‑aerospace company, had earlier signed an agreement with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to potentially manufacture the SJ‑100 jets in India.

The agreement was reaffirmed and clarified during the Wing India airshow. At the same event, UAC signed a deal to supply six Ilyushin Il‑114‑300 aircraft to Indian regional carrier Flamingo Aerospace.

Both developments signal a new chapter in India‑Russia cooperation, now extending into civilian aircraft manufacturing – a sector that was not even on the agenda a few years ago.

Wings India is a premier industrial biennial India and is considered Asia’s largest event on civil aviation. An array of 34 aircraft were showcased at the event, which was inaugurated by India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, who said that the government was keen on boosting the aviation manufacturing sector in the country.

Regular passenger planes, VIP planes, corporate helicopters and ambulances were among the planes on display. The models showcased were Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 Max, Dhruv ALH-NG helicopter, A321 Neo, A220, Aurus Business Jet, Hindustan 228 aircraft, Diamond Da40NG Tecnam P 2006 and Tecnam P2010.

Visitors thronged to see the two Russian regional airliners on static display. Both the Il-114-300 and the SJ-100 are equipped exclusively with Russian produced systems and components, including Russian-made TV7-117ST-01 and PD-8 engines manufactured by Russia’s United Engine Corporation. Both aircraft are presented with fully fitted interiors and passenger cabins.

Russian officials and diplomats, including Ambassador to India Denis Alipov, attended the airshow and witnessed the signing of the UAC‑India agreement, underscoring Russia’s keen interest in the growing Indian market.

UAC’s and HAL’s presence at Wings India 2026 was beyond symbolism. The companies showcased their full civil aircraft portfolios, signalling readiness to compete with global American and European giants that currently dominate the civil aircraft market.

India today has the fastest-growing civil aviation sector, with the third-largest global air passenger market in 2025. Aviation contributes 5% of national GDP. It also greatly promotes tourism and cargo movement. India currently has 160 airports with scheduled flights, compared to 74 in 2014.

Over 161.3 million domestic air passengers travelled in India in 2025, up 6.12% from the year before. The current airliner fleet of around 800 aircraft will more than double in five years, and is projected to reach 2,250 by 2035. After reforms in the sector were........

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