Russia–India Civil Aviation Ties Deepen with Il-114-300 Aircraft Deal at Wings India 2026

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Rostec Group, has signed a preliminary agreement with India’s Flamingo Aerospace for the supply of six Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft. The agreement was announced during Wings India 2026, the country’s flagship civil aviation exhibition held in Hyderabad.

The signing reflects a growing focus by both nations on strengthening cooperation in civil aviation, moving beyond traditional defence partnerships into long-term industrial collaboration. UAC CEO Vadim Badekha and Flamingo Aerospace founder Pappula Subhakar formalised the understanding, positioning the deal as a gateway for deeper Russia–India engagement in regional aircraft operations and manufacturing.

Image from OpIndia

Deliveries from 2028 and Phased Industrial Collaboration

Under the agreement, the first six Il-114-300 aircraft are expected to be delivered starting in 2028. However, the partnership goes well beyond simple aircraft sales. UAC has committed to providing Flamingo Aerospace with a structured roadmap to build domestic aviation capabilities in India.

This includes progressive development in aircraft assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), modifications, and supporting infrastructure. Over time, this phased approach is expected to enable higher levels of localisation, supporting India’s broader goals under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat by creating skilled jobs and strengthening the domestic aerospace ecosystem.

The Il-114-300 and Its Role in Regional Connectivity

The Il-114-300 is a modernised twin-engine turboprop developed by Russia’s Ilyushin design bureau. Designed to seat between 64 and 68 passengers, the aircraft is optimised for short-haul regional operations and is capable of operating from short and semi-prepared runways.

Powered by TV7-117ST-01 engines and equipped with advanced digital avionics, the aircraft is certified for operations across diverse environments, including hot, tropical, mountainous, and remote regions. This makes it well-suited to India’s varied geography and smaller regional airports, where infrastructure limitations often restrict the use of larger jet aircraft.

The aircraft is expected to complement India’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which aims to expand affordable air travel to tier-2, tier-3, and underserved destinations. Analysts note that aircraft in the 60–70 seat category are increasingly important for making regional routes commercially viable.

India’s Expanding Aviation Market and Demand for Regional Aircraft

India is currently one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world, with annual growth rates estimated at around 11 percent. The country is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, creating significant demand for regional aircraft that can connect smaller cities efficiently.

In this context, the Il-114-300 is positioned as a competitor to established aircraft such as the ATR 72 and Bombardier Dash 8-400. UAC has indicated that the initial six aircraft are only the first step, with potential for significantly larger orders depending on market response and successful localisation of operations.

Broader Russia–India Civil Aviation Cooperation

The Flamingo Aerospace deal is part of a wider push by Russia to expand its civil aviation footprint in India. At Wings India 2026, UAC also signed a separate agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for licensed production of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) regional jet in India.

The HAL-UAC collaboration is expected to involve phased local manufacturing, certification support, and potential leasing options to accelerate fleet induction. Together, the Il-114-300 and SJ-100 programmes indicate a broader strategy to position India as a key partner for Russian civil aircraft in Asia, while supporting India’s ambition to develop indigenous aerospace manufacturing capacity.

The MGMM Outlook

Russia’s agreement with Flamingo Aerospace for the supply of six Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft highlights a significant shift in Russia–India cooperation toward long-term civil aviation collaboration. Announced at Wings India 2026, the deal goes beyond aircraft procurement and reflects a broader industrial partnership focused on building domestic capabilities. The phased roadmap covering assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and infrastructure development aligns closely with India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives, supporting job creation and strengthening the country’s aerospace ecosystem.

The Il-114-300’s suitability for short runways and diverse climatic conditions makes it well-matched to India’s regional connectivity needs, particularly under the UDAN scheme. As India’s aviation market continues to expand rapidly, demand for 60–70 seat regional aircraft is expected to grow, positioning this platform as a viable alternative to existing competitors. Alongside parallel collaborations such as the HAL–UAC Superjet programme, the Flamingo Aerospace agreement reflects a broader effort to deepen civil aviation ties and position India as a key hub for regional aircraft operations and future manufacturing partnerships.

(Sources: OpIndia, Times of India)