Air TransportRussia’s UAC signs preliminary deal to supply Il-114-300 turboprops to India
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has signed a preliminary agreement with India’s Flamingo Aerospace for the supply of six Il‑114‑300 turboprop aircraft. The deal was announced during the Wings India 2026 air show in Hyderabad and represents an initial step toward introducing the Russian-built regional aircraft to the Indian market.
The agreement was signed by UAC chief executive Vadim Badekha and Flamingo Aerospace founder Pappula Subhakar. According to the companies, the first phase focuses on the delivery of six aircraft, with discussions indicating that initial handovers could take place from 2028, subject to final contracts and regulatory approvals.
The agreement outlines a cooperation framework under which UAC would provide Flamingo Aerospace with a roadmap to develop local aviation capabilities. This could include activities such as aircraft assembly, modification, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), as well as related infrastructure, although no binding commitments on local production have been disclosed at this stage.
The Il-114-300 is a modernized version of the original Ilyushin Il-114, redesigned around systems developed in Russia following the breakdown of earlier international supply chains. The aircraft is powered by TV7-117ST-01 engines and features updated avionics. It is designed to carry up to 68 passengers on short-haul regional routes and to operate from short or unpaved runways, a capability often cited as suitable for remote and low-density markets.
UAC has cited the Il-114-300 as a candidate for India’s UDAN regional connectivity program, which aims to expand affordable air services to underserved routes. However, the aircraft remains in the early stages of market introduction and has yet to establish a commercial track record outside Russia.
The announcement in Hyderabad came alongside UAC’s decision to display the Il-114-300 internationally for the first time, with the aircraft arriving in India for static display and demonstration flights. On the same day, UAC also signed a separate agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited related to the SJ-100 regional jet, another civil aircraft program developed in Russia following Western sanctions.
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