Russia Eyes Indian Aviation Market With 105-Plane Push Ahead Of BRICS Summit

Russia is looking to significantly expand its presence in India's civil aviation sector, with several potential aircraft agreements involving Indian aviation companies expected to take shape during the Innoprom India exhibition in New Delhi.

The proposed deals could cover as many as 105 regional passenger aircraft, signalling a broader push by Moscow to deepen aerospace cooperation with India beyond its traditional focus on defence equipment.

IL-114-300 Deals At The Centre Of Talks

The Ilyushin IL-114-300, a Russian regional passenger aircraft developed by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), is at the centre of the proposed agreements.

UAC CEO Vadim Badekha said discussions with Indian partners had advanced considerably over the past six months. According to him, several agreements could be formalised during Innoprom India, which is being held in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit.

The proposed aircraft commitments include 50 IL-114-300 planes for Pinnacle Air, up to 20 aircraft for Air Kerala, and another 35 aircraft associated with a memorandum of understanding signed with Sleek Aviation.

If finalised, the arrangements would represent a significant expansion of Russian aircraft sales in India's regional aviation market.

Earlier Agreement With Flamingo Aerospace

The latest developments follow a preliminary agreement between UAC and Indian company Flamingo Aerospace, signed in January.

That agreement covered the potential supply of six IL-114-300 aircraft and was signed during the Wings India aviation exhibition in Hyderabad.

The new proposals indicate that discussions between Russian aircraft manufacturers and Indian aviation companies have continued to broaden since that agreement.

Russia Explores Aircraft Manufacturing In India

Beyond aircraft sales, Russia is also seeking to establish India as a potential manufacturing base for its regional aircraft.

UAC said discussions on producing the SJ-100 regional jet in India are about 80 per cent complete, with a formal agreement expected in the near future.

Earlier this year, UAC and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an agreement concerning the licensed production of the SJ-100 in India.

Local manufacturing could mark a deeper stage of cooperation between the two countries, moving the relationship beyond aircraft procurement towards production and industrial collaboration.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

[email protected]

Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

Read More