At the Wings India 2026 air show in Hyderabad, Russian aerospace giant United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced a preliminary agreement to supply six Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft to Indian aerospace firm Flamingo Aerospace, marking a noteworthy expansion of Russian civil aircraft into South Asia.
The deal, aimed at meeting India’s “growing regional aviation needs”, positions the Il-114-300 India supply agreement as a strategic move for bolstering connectivity in secondary routes while laying groundwork for skill and capability development within the Indian aviation manufacturing ecosystem.
What the Il-114-300 India Supply Agreement Covers
- Aircraft: Six Ilyushin Il-114-300 regional turboprops.
- Parties: United Aircraft (Russia’s state-linked aerospace manufacturer) and Flamingo Aerospace (India).
- Location: Hyderabad, India (Wings India 2026).
- Timeline: Deliveries set to start in 2028, with phased capability building in assembly and maintenance planned.
United Aircraft highlighted that this co-operation programme is intended to supply turboprops to address regional aviation demand while gradually supporting local assembly, aircraft modification, and maintenance-repair-overhaul (MRO) competencies within India’s burgeoning aerospace sector.
Why the Il-114-300 Deal Matters
The Il-114-300 is a modernized twin-engine turboprop, designed for regional connectivity and operations to smaller airports, an important niche for a country with vast domestic air travel demand.
India’s civil aviation market is one of the fastest-growing globally, with regional connectivity schemes like UDAN driving demand for aircraft suited to shorter, underserved routes. A deal such as this, while preliminary, signals a diversification of supplier sources beyond traditional Western manufacturers. Independent reports note that Flamingo Aerospace plans to build MRO and assembly capabilities alongside phased aircraft deliveries.
What United Aircraft and Flamingo Aerospace Say
United Aircraft and Flamingo executives stressed mutual benefits of the agreement:
“This partnership brings cutting-edge aircraft and technologies to the Indian market and lays the foundation for creating sustainable aviation opportunities and skilled jobs,” said Flamingo Aerospace CEO Subhakar Pappula at the Hyderabad show.
United Aircraft’s chief Vadim Badekha noted rapid growth in Indian air travel as a key rationale for the cooperation.
Demonstration Flight and Technical Readiness
As part of the event, an Il-114-300 conducted a demonstration flight showcasing its regional mission capability. United Engine, the powerplant developer for the TV7-117ST-01 engines that power the type, confirmed readiness for serial deliveries.
Supporting Aviation Industry Trends
The Il-114-300 deal aligns with prior developments aimed at revitalizing regional aircraft programs:
- Certification progress: The Il-114-300 has been advancing through certification milestones, with approved propeller systems and other flight-critical elements recently confirmed.
- Manufacturer focus: UAC’s broader strategy includes transport and regional aircraft production, complemented by ongoing initiatives with carriers and lessors.
Regional Market Context
Regional turboprops are crucial to India’s Domestic Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), which subsidizes flights to underserved airports. A fleet of aircraft like the Il-114-300 could help airlines serve these routes more cost-effectively, complementing jets on trunk routes.
Industry Expert Insights
Market analysts note that diversification in aircraft supply, including Russian models like the Il-114-300, may offer alternative cost structures and competitive options compared with established Western and Brazilian regional craft, although integration into India’s existing airline fleets could present certification and support challenges.
Timeline
- January 2026: Il-114-300 displayed and cooperation deal announced at Wings India 2026.
- 2028 onward: Planned commencement of aircraft deliveries.
- Post-2028: Marshaling of localized assembly, MRO infrastructure growth in India.
What’s Next
- Certification updates: Watch for final civil certification milestones for the Il-114-300 from Russian and international aviation authorities.
- Local partnerships: Further details may emerge on the extent of technology transfer and Indian component integration.
- Carrier commitments: Airlines operating in India could announce interest or future orders based on UAC’s delivery schedule.
Source
- FlightGlobal: David Kaminski-Morrow (29 Jan 2026), United Aircraft agrees to supply Il-114-300s to Indian aerospace firm
- The Times of India: Russian firm–Indian aerospace MoU coverage
