HAL Bets Big on Civil Aviation With Russia's SJ100 Aircraft Plan

State-run aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. plans to roll out semi knock-down SuperJet 100 aircraft from its existing facilities within the next three years, the company’s chairman and managing director said Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, HAL CMD DK Sunil said the company aims to increase the share of civil aviation in its overall revenue to 25% over the next decade, from the current 4% to 5%.HAL recently signed an agreement with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation for production of the SJ100 aircraft. Sunil said the company does not want to wait for full-scale manufacturing before deploying the aircraft and is exploring leasing options in parallel.“The leasing is a separate track because we buy out the aircraft directly.

Manufacturing is setting up the facilities. And, as I said, in three years we will do the roll-out in a semi knock-down condition. Bring all the assemblies, assemble it. That is the target in three years. So, bring in all the facilities, bring in the test equipment and get it going. That is the target for three years,” he said, as quoted by PTI.

Sunil said HAL plans to lease between 10 and 20 aircraft initially, which would be purchased directly from Russia in flyaway condition.“In the next year or so, year and a half, we can get in about 10 aircraft. So, that is the idea that we are bringing in,” he said.Sunil said HAL expects demand for more than 200 SJ100 aircraft in India, driven by the country’s regional connectivity push.“We see a good market of upwards of 200 aircraft for this size of India and you know in the local region. So, there is enough market for an aircraft of this size,” he said.

He added that HAL is in talks with companies based in Gujarat’s GIFT City regarding leasing arrangements. Over the next three to four years, revenue from the SJ100 aircraft and helicopters is expected to form a significant share of the company’s earnings.Sunil also said state-owned Pawan Hans Ltd. will procure 10 indigenously built Dhruv New Generation helicopters from HAL for offshore operations of Oil and Natural Gas Corp. The Border Security Force has also placed an order for Dhruv NG helicopters.Replying to a question, Sunil said HAL recorded revenues of about 31,000 crore rupees last year and expects growth of 7% to 8% in the current fiscal year.