Russia is ramping up its presence in India’s aviation landscape, unveiling the Ilyushin IL-114-300 and Superjet SJ-100 at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad. This move underscores Moscow’s view of India as a pivotal battleground against Western dominance in the skies.
India’s regional aviation is exploding, thanks to ambitious airport expansions in smaller cities. Demand surges for aircraft suited to limited infrastructure, where the 68-seat IL-114-300 excels. Engineered for short runways and tough conditions, it matches the ATR 72-600 and Dash-8 Q400, with production costs pegged at $20-35 million.
The SJ-100 ups the ante in the regional jet arena, accommodating 87-98 passengers and priced at $30-36 million, positioning it against Embraer rivals. Importantly, these aren’t just aircraft sales; Russia dangles carrots of in-country assembly, manufacturing, and component sourcing.
Industry analysts see this as a pivot to holistic partnerships, generating jobs in high-tech fields like precision engineering and aviation maintenance. The bulk of economic benefits—spares, training, overhauls—will accrue over the aircraft’s multi-decade service life.
As geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains, Russia’s strategy offers India strategic autonomy and industrial growth. Wings India 2026 promises to be a turning point, potentially heralding Russian jets on Indian regional routes and fortifying bilateral ties in aerospace.