Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Omkam's 50 Russian Plan Targets Indian Aircraft Manufacturing
Omkam Aviations wants to bring 50 Russian airplanes to India.
The planes are called IL-114-300s and can carry about 66 to 68 people.
They are designed to use shorter runways and airports with less ground equipment.
This could let people travel directly between smaller cities and bigger economic centres.
The first group would have six airplanes and would cost about ₹1,500 crore, including support systems.
Later, Omkam wants to build an assembly line in India.
The company also proposes eventually making the planes in India by sharing technology with Russia.
Sberbank has said in principle that it could help fund the project, but the funding terms are unknown.
The plan still needs to become firm orders, and its complete manufacturing costs have not been announced.
Omkam Aviations signed an LOI with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation for 50 IL-114-300 aircraft.
The first phase would include six imported aircraft and support systems, requiring an estimated ₹1,500 crore investment.
Omkam proposes building an Indian assembly line and eventually manufacturing the aircraft domestically under a technology-transfer agreement.
The 66-to-68-seat turboprops are intended to connect smaller cities and regional airports with major economic centres.
The LOI is not yet a firm purchase order, and the full manufacturing cost and localisation schedule remain undisclosed.
- Who
- Omkam Aviations Pvt. Ltd. and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation are pursuing the proposal; Sberbank has expressed funding support in principle, while Indian and Russian officials have endorsed or discussed the initiative.
- What
- An LOI covers 50 IL-114-300 aircraft, beginning with six aircraft and potentially progressing to Indian assembly and full domestic manufacturing through technology transfer.
- When
- The LOI is dated September 10, 2026; the articles do not provide a delivery schedule or a date for manufacturing to begin.
- Where
- The proposal was discussed at the Innoprom India trade fair at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with the planned assembly and manufacturing operations in India.
- Why
- Omkam says the aircraft could improve direct links between underserved Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities while supporting Indian aerospace manufacturing, skills development and India-Russia industrial cooperation.
Supporters and proponents
Caveats and clarifications
Regional connectivity
Supporters and proponents
Omkam and India’s civil aviation minister say the aircraft’s capacity and ability to use shorter runways could connect smaller cities directly with major economic centres.
Caveats and clarifications
The articles describe this as a proposed operating model; they do not confirm specific routes, service launches or passenger demand.
Indian manufacturing
Supporters and proponents
Omkam proposes moving from imported aircraft to an Indian assembly line and eventually 100% domestic manufacturing under a technology-transfer agreement with United Aircraft Corporation.
Caveats and clarifications
The total manufacturing investment, component localisation targets, implementation schedule and export plans have not been disclosed.
Commercial commitment
Supporters and proponents
Omkam says it signed an LOI for 50 aircraft, with Sberbank funding committed in principle.
Caveats and clarifications
An LOI is not a firm purchase order; aircraft deliveries, financing terms and subsequent manufacturing investment remain uncertain. Pinnacle Air also clarified that it was interested only in leasing the aircraft and was not a party to the LOI.
- Aircraft
- IL-114-300 twin-engine turboprop
- Proposed quantity
- 50 aircraft
- Initial batch
- Six aircraft
- Passenger capacity
- Approximately 66 to 68 seats
- Initial investment
- About ₹1,500 crore for the first six aircraft and their support system
- Manufacturing plan
- Imported aircraft initially, followed by an Indian assembly line and proposed full technology transfer
- Financing
- Sberbank of Russia has committed in principle to provide funding, but the amount and terms are undisclosed
- Current status
- The LOI has not yet been converted into firm orders, and the total manufacturing outlay and localisation schedule have not been disclosed
