At Wings India 2026 in Begumpet, one aircraft quietly commanded attention from policymakers, airline executives, and industry insiders alike: the SJ-100 regional jet. The 100-seat twin-engine plane, on static display, represented Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) bid to expand into India’s civil aviation sector.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil told India Today TV the SJ-100 is central to the PSU’s ambitions. “For India, regional connectivity is the real growth story. Aircraft like the SJ-100 are ideally suited for short-haul routes linking tier-2 and tier-3 cities,” he said.
Designed to carry up to 100 passengers over a range of 3,000 km, the SJ-100 is optimised for domestic routes. Its features included fly-by-wire controls, a full glass cockpit, and the ability to operate from short and semi-prepared runways — critical for regional airports. The aircraft also offers a spacious cabin, wider seats than older regional jets, and reduced noise levels, making it a cost-efficient option for high-frequency, short-haul flights.
On the sidelines of the event, HAL and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed an agreement to advance collaboration on the SJ-100 programme. The deal paved the way for licensed manufacturing, maintenance, and lifecycle support in India, signaling a strategic shift for HAL, historically focused on defence production.
“This partnership is about bringing a proven regional jet into India and gradually building capability here. Our plan is phased — starting with fly-away aircraft, moving to assembly, and eventually deeper manufacturing as volumes grow,” Sunil explained.
HAL is already engaging Indian airlines to introduce the SJ-100 under the government’s regional connectivity initiative. Sunil projected a demand of 150–200 aircraft in this segment over the next decade, positioning the SJ-100 as a strong fit.
Civil aviation currently contributes around five per cent to HAL’s revenue, but the company aims to raise this to nearly 25 per cent in the coming years. Sunil described the SJ-100 as a “milestone” in that transition.
HAL plans to leverage its existing aerospace infrastructure for the project. Facilities in Nashik, known for producing frontline fighters, and Kanpur, with expertise in structures and components, will be adapted for civil aircraft production.
These facilities are already aerospace-ready. With retooling and certification, they can be adapted for civil aircraft production,” Sunil said, noting that phased manufacturing will allow HAL to scale output in line with airline demand.
