Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Russia Expands India Aviation Push With 105 Aircraft Talks
Russia wants to sell more regional passenger planes to Indian aviation companies.
The possible deals could involve as many as 105 aircraft.
Pinnacle Air may receive 50 IL-114-300 planes.
Air Kerala is discussing up to 20 aircraft, while Sleek Aviation is linked to 35 more.
Russia and India are also discussing making the SJ-100 passenger jet in India.
These manufacturing talks are reportedly about 80% complete.
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have already signed an agreement about licensed SJ-100 production.
The countries say they want to move from simply buying and selling planes to making them together.
The talks are taking place as India works to improve regional air connections.
Russia and Indian aviation companies are discussing potential deals involving up to 105 regional passenger aircraft.
The proposals include 50 IL-114-300 aircraft for Pinnacle Air, up to 20 for Air Kerala and 35 linked to Sleek Aviation.
United Aircraft Corporation says negotiations have advanced significantly over the past six months.
India and Russia are discussing licensed joint production of the SJ-100 regional jet in India, with localisation talks reportedly about 80% complete.
The discussions took place around Innoprom India in New Delhi, where more than 120 Russian and Indian companies gathered ahead of the BRICS Summit.
- Who
- Russian officials, United Aircraft Corporation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Indian aviation companies including Pinnacle Air, Air Kerala and Sleek Aviation.
- What
- Potential arrangements covering up to 105 regional passenger aircraft, plus licensed joint production of the SJ-100 regional jet in India.
- When
- Negotiations advanced over the six months before Innoprom India, held September 9–11; the BRICS Summit was scheduled for September 12–13.
- Where
- Innoprom India in New Delhi, India; proposed SJ-100 production would take place in India.
- Why
- To support India’s regional connectivity needs and expand India-Russia aerospace cooperation from defence equipment into civil aviation and manufacturing.
- Potential aircraft arrangements
- Up to 105 regional passenger or turboprop aircraft
- Pinnacle Air proposal
- 50 IL-114-300 aircraft
- Air Kerala proposal
- Up to 20 aircraft
- Sleek Aviation proposal
- 35 aircraft linked to a memorandum of understanding
- SJ-100 production talks
- Localisation discussions reportedly about 80% complete
- Earlier Flamingo Aerospace agreement
- A preliminary agreement for six IL-114-300 aircraft was signed in January
- Innoprom India participation
- More than 120 Russian and Indian companies attended the New Delhi event
