India's Domestic Aircraft Manufacturing Ambitions
India's aviation sector is experiencing rapid expansion, marked by significant aircraft orders from leading airlines such as IndiGo and Air India, totaling nearly 1,500 planes for delivery over the next decade. This growth is largely dependent on Boeing and Airbus, which collectively supply a substantial portion of the world's aircraft. Both manufacturers are currently managing considerable delivery backlogs, a factor expected to influence Indian acquisition timelines. This scenario has prompted renewed consideration of India's capacity to develop and produce its own passenger aircraft domestically.
Collaboration on the SJ-100 Aircraft
In October, India and Russia formalized an initial agreement for the manufacturing of the SJ-100 passenger plane in India. The SJ-100 is a twin-engine aircraft capable of accommodating up to 103 passengers, and it is currently operational with several Russian airlines, according to its manufacturer, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). India has indicated intentions to deploy the SJ-100 on short-haul routes. However, questions regarding the project's economic viability and operational feasibility have been raised. Concerns also include the Russian firm's ability to rapidly establish and scale production facilities within India.
UAC reported delivering approximately 200 SJ-100 aircraft between 2008 and 2020. Following events in 2022, Western sanctions resulted in the necessity to replace about 40 systems, leading to the development of an "import-substituted" version in 2023. Subsequently, Europe's aviation safety regulator rescinded the aircraft's certification, effectively prohibiting the SJ-100 and other Russian aircraft from operating in European airspace.
Historical Context of Indian Aircraft Production
India has a documented history of efforts aimed at domestic passenger aircraft production, with varying levels of success.
- National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL): Established in 1959, NAL was tasked with developing small and medium-sized civil aircraft. Its achievements include the two-seater Hansa and five-seater trainer planes.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): During the 1960s, state-owned HAL produced numerous UK-designed Avro 748 jets under license. These aircraft were utilized by both commercial airlines and the military before being decommissioned.
- Dornier Partnership: In the 1980s, India collaborated with German firm Dornier to produce a 19-seat passenger jet. Some of these aircraft continue to serve military and limited civil aviation routes. India has also pursued independent designs for small passenger aircraft.