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India's aviation market surges, but plane orders face delays
India's aviation sector, one of the world's fastest-growing, is expanding rapidly as carriers place massive aircraft orders-but global delivery backlogs and reliance on foreign manufacturers are reigniting debates over domestic plane production.
Record orders amid global supply chain strains
IndiGo and Air India, which control over 90% of India's aviation market, have committed to nearly 1,500 new aircraft over the next decade to meet soaring passenger demand. However, Boeing and Airbus, which supply 86% of the world's planes, are grappling with "historically high" delivery backlogs from 2024, raising concerns that Indian carriers may face delays.
Russia deal revives domestic production hopes
In October, India and Russia signed a preliminary agreement to manufacture the SJ-100 passenger jet in India, sparking optimism about local aircraft production. The 103-seat, twin-engine plane, already in service with Russian airlines, is billed by Delhi as a "game changer" for short-haul routes. Yet experts question the project's feasibility, citing unclear costs and logistical hurdles.
Sanctions and certification challenges
The SJ-100's manufacturer, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), delivered around 200 units between 2008 and 2020. However, Western sanctions imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine forced the company to replace 40 systems with local alternatives, creating an "import-substituted" version. The EU's aviation safety regulator subsequently revoked the plane's certification, barring it from European airspace.
India's long struggle to build passenger planes
Despite decades of ambition, India's domestic aircraft production has yielded limited success. The state-run National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), established in 1959, developed the two-seater Hansa and five-seater trainer planes but failed to scale up to larger passenger models. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) produced UK-designed Avro 748 jets under license in the 1960s, while a 1980s partnership with Germany's Dornier resulted in a 19-seat jet still used by the military.
Stalled projects and unmet targets
India's attempts to design its own planes have repeatedly stalled. The 15-seater Saras, developed with Russian assistance, first flew in 2004 but was grounded in 2009 after a fatal crash. A revamped 19-seater prototype, Saras MK2, remains uncertified. Meanwhile, the 90-seater Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA), proposed in 2011, has seen negligible progress.
"India's aviation manufacturing has been held back by limited domestic demand, a shortage of skilled workers, and a weak supply chain,"
Dr. Abhay Pashilkar, Director of NAL
Can the Russia deal break the deadlock?
Analysts argue the SJ-100 partnership offers a "practical interim solution" while India's own projects languish. Former HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar called Russia a "steadfast supporter" of India's ambitions, though sanctions risks remain a concern. For Moscow, wider adoption of the SJ-100 could prove its ability to build civil aircraft without Western technology.
Broader challenges: Crew shortages and infrastructure
Aircraft availability is only part of India's aviation puzzle. Earlier this month, IndiGo canceled thousands of flights due to "poor pilot roster planning", stranding tens of thousands of passengers. The incident underscored the need for better workforce training alongside fleet expansion.
Uncertain future for India's aviation ambitions
While the Russia deal may provide a short-term boost, India's long-term goal of self-sufficiency in aircraft manufacturing remains distant. Experts emphasize the need for deeper collaboration with global manufacturers and investment in domestic talent and infrastructure to turn ambitions into reality.
