Daily Current Affairs for UPSC : 29 Oct 2025/What is SJ-100?

What is SJ-100?

Why in news ? State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a deal with Russia’s Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) in Moscow to produce civil commuter aircraft SJ-100 in Moscow, the aeronautics company said on Tuesday.

HAL-UAC SJ-100 Agreement:

 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) in Russia announced a deal this week that signifies a remarkable achievement for the aviation ecosystem in India, as HAL will be able to construct a modified version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100, now named the HAL-UAC SJ-100) for its owner and customers in India.

This represents the first complete passenger aircraft manufacture in India since the production of the AVRO HS748 in the 1960’s.

What is SJ-100?

• The Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) is a regional jet aircraft developed by the Russian aerospace manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft.
• It’s designed for short to medium-range commercial flights and is intended to compete with similar sized jets, like the Embraer E-Jets and the Bombardier CRJ series.

Key Features:

 Capacity: The aircraft typically seats between 75 to 100 passengers, depending on the configuration. It is offered in both single-class and dual-class configurations.

Range: The SJ-100 has a range of about 3,048 km (1,900 miles), which makes it suitable for regional flights.

Engine: It is powered by SaM146 engines, which were developed jointly by the French company Snecma (a part of Safran) and Russia’s NPO Saturn.

First Flight: The aircraft, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) first flew on May 19,2008, and the first commercial delivery took place in 2011.

Modern Technology: The Superjet 100 boasts a modern flight deck with advanced avionics, materials, and fuel efficiency, as well as quiet operation.

Primary Users: The aircraft is primarily used by Russian carriers including Aeroflot and a number of international buyers based in countries, including Mexico, Indonesia, and Italy.