In a first, HAL ties up with Russian firm to make civilian planes

INDIA AND RUSSIA have firmed up a collaboration to produce a twin-engine narrow-body civilian aircraft for short-haul flights in line with growing strategic ties between the two countries.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) signed a pact with Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) in Moscow on Monday for production of SJ-100 aircraft in India. It will be the first such project to produce a passenger aircraft in India. The joint venture was finalised a little more than a month before an expected visit to India by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The SJ-100 was earlier known as the Sukhoi Superjet 100. As on date, over 200 SJ-100 aircraft have been produced and are being operated by more than 16 commercial airline operators.