New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) Russia's initiative to present its civil aircraft, the Ilyushin IL-114-300 and the Superjet SJ-100, at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad symbolizes a significant evolution in the economic partnership between India and Russia, particularly in the realm of civil aviation, as reported by The Sunday Guardian.

This strategic move indicates Moscow's ambition to penetrate India's rapidly expanding regional aviation sector through enduring industrial collaborations rather than merely pushing for aircraft sales.

India's aviation growth has predominantly been fueled by substantial aircraft orders from local airlines directed towards Airbus and Boeing.

However, beneath these major contracts lies a burgeoning regional aviation segment that links tier-two and tier-three cities.

With the backing of airport expansions and the government's UDAN connectivity initiative, this segment accommodates approximately 18 to 36 million passengers annually and signifies a multi-billion-dollar prospect encompassing aircraft purchases, leasing, maintenance, training, and operations.

Russia is now setting its sights directly on this market. Given the enduring defense and industrial relationships between India and Russia, analysts believe that New Delhi may be amenable to permitting Russian manufacturers to establish local production and assembly facilities under the Make in India initiative.

The IL-114-300 is a turboprop aircraft with a capacity of 68 seats, designed for short runways and challenging operational environments.

It is positioned to compete with aircraft like the ATR 72-600 and the Dash-8 Q400, which currently dominate India's regional air routes.

Industry forecasts suggest the aircraft could be priced between $20 million and $35 million once mass production is stabilized, aligning it with existing turboprop options.

The Superjet SJ-100, accommodating approximately 87 to 98 passengers, aims at the higher segment of the regional jet market.

It competes with smaller offerings from Embraer's E-Jet series and is anticipated to be priced in the range of $30 million to $36 million.

While the pricing of these Russian aircraft does not significantly undercut Western competitors, their true allure lies in the industrial prospects they present.

Russian manufacturers are promoting these aircraft alongside proposals for local manufacturing, assembly, and sourcing within India.

Industry specialists argue that this approach transforms the decision from a straightforward import option into a wider industrial consideration.

Aircraft manufacturing and ongoing support produce high-skilled jobs in engineering, precision manufacturing, avionics, and maintenance, contributing to the development of supplier ecosystems that can endure for decades.

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul services are expected to be focal points if Russian civil aircraft penetrate the Indian market.

Most of an aircraft's economic value is derived post-delivery through spares, upgrades, training, and engine overhauls throughout its operational lifespan of 25 to 30 years.