New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has marked a major milestone in India’s aerospace sector after receiving a ₹1,800 crore contract from Pawan Hans for the supply of 10 Dhruv-NG helicopters. The deal significantly strengthens India’s indigenous rotary-wing manufacturing capabilities and reinforces HAL’s leadership in helicopter production.
The Dhruv-NG is the next-generation version of HAL’s successful Dhruv platform, designed with enhanced performance, safety, and operational flexibility. The helicopters are expected to serve a wide range of roles across civil, utility, and strategic operations, further expanding Pawan Hans’ mission capabilities.
In a parallel move aimed at boosting India’s regional aviation ecosystem, HAL has entered into a joint venture with Russia’s PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to manufacture the Sukhoi SJ-100 Superjet in India. The SJ-100 is a twin-engine regional passenger aircraft already operating with airlines across multiple countries.
Under the agreement, HAL will obtain manufacturing, certification, and domestic sales rights for the SJ-100. UAC will provide technical know-how, design support, and specialist assistance to upgrade HAL’s facilities for aircraft production. The collaboration builds on an MoU signed in October 2025 and is aligned with India’s UDAN regional connectivity programme, which aims to improve short-haul air travel.
With India projected to require over 200 regional aircraft in the next decade, the partnership is seen as timely and strategically important. HAL has described the SJ-100 as a potential catalyst for strengthening last-mile air connectivity across the country.
Separately, UAC has also signed an agreement to supply six Ilyushin Il-114-300 aircraft to Flamingo Aerospace during the Wings India 2026 aviation exhibition in Hyderabad. The deal includes plans for developing local capabilities in aircraft assembly, maintenance, and overhaul.
Together, these developments highlight deepening Indo-Russian cooperation in aerospace, supporting India’s push for self-reliance, technology transfer, job creation, and long-term growth in the aviation sector.
