India, Russia Discuss 105-Plane Deal As BRICS Summit Approaches
Aviation deal talks gain focus ahead of BRICS.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday said India and Russia have expanded discussions on manufacturing aircraft in India, including the turboprop IL-114 and Sukhoi Superjet 100. Speaking ahead of the BRICS Summit, Naidu said the discussions focused on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia for aircraft manufacturing in the country.
Naidu said the Russian aircraft are considered compatible with India’s regional connectivity requirements, particularly as new airports are being developed across the country. He said the IL-114 turboprop and Sukhoi Superjet 100 jet could help strengthen connections between regional airports. The Minister added that India wants to begin the manufacturing process as soon as possible.
The Civil Aviation Minister said aviation is emerging as an important area of India-Russia cooperation as both countries continue to deepen their strategic partnership. The discussions include potential deliveries and arrangements involving 105 regional turboprop aircraft for Indian operators, including Pinnacle Air, Air Kerala and Sleek Aviation.
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Russia has also showcased its regional aviation portfolio in India, including the SJ-100, MC-21 and Il-114-300 aircraft, at the Innoprom event in Delhi. The display comes as India seeks to expand regional air connectivity and develop aviation infrastructure across more parts of the country. The aircraft have been presented as potential options for meeting the requirements of India’s growing regional aviation network.
The latest engagement also points to a possible expansion of India-Russia aerospace cooperation beyond traditional defence platforms. Russia has long supplied India with military aircraft, including MiG and Sukhoi platforms, while the latest discussions focus on civil aviation and regional connectivity. Aircraft manufacturing in India could further broaden the industrial dimension of bilateral aerospace cooperation.
The proposed aircraft arrangements and the HAL-Russia manufacturing discussions could therefore mark a significant step in expanding cooperation in India’s civil aviation sector. With regional airports increasing and demand for connectivity growing, both sides are exploring ways to combine aircraft supply with local manufacturing. The discussions ahead of the BRICS Summit indicate that aviation could become an additional pillar of the broader India-Russia strategic relationship.
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