Summary
India is exploring the option to build passenger jets domestically. It recently signed a deal with Russia to manufacture the SJ-100 aircraft in India. However, the plan faces several challenges, including questions about cost, feasibility, and logistics.
Key Facts
- India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.
- IndiGo and Air India are the major airlines in India and have ordered nearly 1,500 planes in the next decade.
- India and Russia signed an agreement to manufacture the SJ-100 passenger plane in India.
- The SJ-100 aircraft is a twin-engine plane carrying up to 103 passengers and is used by Russian airlines.
- Western sanctions have affected the aircraft production in Russia by limiting spare parts supply.
- India has tried to domestically manufacture passenger planes since the 1950s with limited success.
- Past projects like the Saras and Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) have faced delays and challenges.
- Experts cite the lack of domestic demand, skilled labor, and a small manufacturing infrastructure as challenges.
