In a first, a complete passenger aircraft will be produced in India as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) joined hands with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) for the production of SJ-100 jets. The development signals India's growing engagement with Russia despite the US's resentment.

HAL said that the SJ-100, a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft, would be a "game changer" for short-haul connectivity under the Modi government's UDAN scheme. The scheme was launched in 2016 to boost regional connectivity in tier-II and tier-III cities.

As per the MoU, HAL will have the rights to manufacture the aircraft for domestic customers. Presently, more than 200 SJ-100 aircraft have been produced and are being operated by more than 16 airline operators.

"This will also be the first instance

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