United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has signed a preliminary agreement with Indian aerospace firm Flamingo Aerospace to deliver six Ilyushin Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft to the Indian market.
The announcement was made on 28 January 2026 during Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad, where the modernized Il-114-300 was on display and completed a demonstration flight.
This deal represents a notable push into regional aviation India, as the country expands short-haul connectivity under government schemes such as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) to link underserved cities.
What the Agreement Entails
According to the FlightGlobal report, the preliminary framework focuses on:
- Delivery of six Il-114-300 aircraft beginning as early as 2028 (pending final contracts and approvals).
- A cooperation roadmap enabling Flamingo Aerospace to expand capabilities in assembly, modification, and MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul).
- Potential longer-term industrial collaboration beyond the initial six aircraft.
The Il-114-300 is a 68-seat modern turboprop designed for operation from short or minimally equipped airfields, a key fit for India’s regional network needs.
Aircraft Background & Market Fit
Ilyushin Il-114-300 is the latest iteration of the Il-114 regional turboprop. Improvements over older models include:
- Updated TV7-117ST-01 engines with support for serial deliveries.
- Extended range and operational flexibility tailored for regional routes.
- Potential to operate from rugged or short runways, aligning with India’s aviation connectivity goals.
The aircraft’s certification campaign is ongoing, and engines central to the type’s performance are reportedly ready for serial deployment.
Strategic Implications for Regional Aviation India
The agreement marks a step in broader aerospace collaboration between Russia and India, with implications for:
- Fleet diversification: Introducing a new turboprop type beyond the dominant ATR and Bombardier/De Havilland fleets.
- Industrial capacity building: Laying groundwork for future assembly and MRO operations within India.
- Transport infrastructure: Supporting UDAN objectives by enabling reliable service to smaller markets.
Analysts note that regional aviation India is one of the fastest-growing segments globally, driven by domestic passenger growth and a focus on air connectivity expansion.
What Comes Next
Delivery Timeline
- Definitive contracts and regulatory clearances are needed before aircraft deliveries can begin, potentially from 2028.
Industrial Cooperation
- Flamingo Aerospace is poised to gradually expand into aircraft assembly, customization, and lifecycle support services.
Potential Growth
- Future orders could emerge if initial operations prove successful and meet India’s connectivity needs.
What’s Next — Industry Outlook
The IL-114-300 India supply agreement could serve as a catalyst for deeper aerospace industrial partnerships and help unlock latent potential in India’s regional aviation segment. Future developments to watch include:
- Formalization of the purchase contract and financial terms.
- Regulatory certification progress for the Il-114-300.
- Expansion of local aerospace manufacturing and support infrastructure.
- Competitive response from global turboprop manufacturers.
If implemented successfully, this collaboration might expand India’s aircraft manufacturing ecosystem and enhance choice for operators serving tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Source
- FlightGlobal: United Aircraft agrees to supply Il-114-300s to Indian aerospace firm
- ASDNews: United Aircraft, Flamingo Aerospace sign agreement to supply Il-114-300
- Indian Defence News: Indo-Russian aviation pact: Flamingo Aerospace & UAC
- UNI India (United News of India): Wings India: Flamingo, UAC announce aircraft supply plan
