India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. IndiGo and Air India, which together hold over 90% of the market, have ordered nearly 1,500 planes over the next decade, highlighting soaring passenger demand. This expansion hinges on Boeing and Airbus, which together supply 86% of the world's aircraft and faced 'historically high' delivery backlogs in 2024 - delays expected to affect Indian orders too. This has revived an old question: should India try to build its own passenger planes?
The prospect drew attention in October when India and Russia signed an initial agreement in Moscow to manufacture the SJ-100 passenger plane in India, raising hopes for domestic aircraft production. But is the Russia deal a solution? Its joint manufacturing plan still faces many hurdles before coming to fruition.
The SJ-100 is a twin-engine aircraft that can carry up to 103 passengers and is already in service with several Russian airlines, according to its manufacturer, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Delhi has described the aircraft as a 'game changer' and plans to use it for short-haul routes. But experts have questioned the project's cost and feasibility - much of which is still unclear. One of the biggest concerns is whether the Russian firm would be able to rapidly set up and scale production in India.
India has long aimed to build passenger aircraft domestically but has achieved only limited success. In 1959, the government set up the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) to develop 'small and medium-sized civil aircraft'. The facility has developed the two-seater Hansa and five-seater trainer planes, but larger passenger aircraft remain out of reach. Despite past efforts involving partnerships with foreign firms and attempts to create indigenous designs, substantial challenges persist.
The SJ-100 project brings a practical solution to India's aviation needs, with experts noting that while challenges remain, the partnership might offer a pathway to operationalizing domestic aircraft production amidst rising demand.
The prospect drew attention in October when India and Russia signed an initial agreement in Moscow to manufacture the SJ-100 passenger plane in India, raising hopes for domestic aircraft production. But is the Russia deal a solution? Its joint manufacturing plan still faces many hurdles before coming to fruition.
The SJ-100 is a twin-engine aircraft that can carry up to 103 passengers and is already in service with several Russian airlines, according to its manufacturer, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Delhi has described the aircraft as a 'game changer' and plans to use it for short-haul routes. But experts have questioned the project's cost and feasibility - much of which is still unclear. One of the biggest concerns is whether the Russian firm would be able to rapidly set up and scale production in India.
India has long aimed to build passenger aircraft domestically but has achieved only limited success. In 1959, the government set up the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) to develop 'small and medium-sized civil aircraft'. The facility has developed the two-seater Hansa and five-seater trainer planes, but larger passenger aircraft remain out of reach. Despite past efforts involving partnerships with foreign firms and attempts to create indigenous designs, substantial challenges persist.
The SJ-100 project brings a practical solution to India's aviation needs, with experts noting that while challenges remain, the partnership might offer a pathway to operationalizing domestic aircraft production amidst rising demand.
