UAC Signs Agreements for 85 Il-114-300 Aircraft with India

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed preliminary agreements with two Indian aviation firms on September 10, 2026, for the potential supply of 85 Ilyushin Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft.

Announced in a Rostec press release during the INNOPROM India exhibition in New Delhi, the commitments represent a significant export push for the newly certified Russian airliner. The proposed acquisitions are intended to support India’s UDAN regional connectivity program and could serve as a foundation for broader industrial cooperation between the two nations.

Agreement structure and prospective operators

The 85-aircraft commitment is split between two entities. Pinnacle Air signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for 50 airframes, while Sleek Aviation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 35 aircraft. Neither company currently operates as a scheduled regional Airlines. Pinnacle Air is established as a charter operator providing helicopter and business aviation services, and Sleek Aviation, founded in 2018, does not currently operate an active fleet.

Reports indicate these firms may act as lessors rather than direct operators. Indian ultra-low-cost carrier Air Kerala is reportedly under consideration as a potential operator for up to 20 of the Il-114-300s. A separate report from ThePrint on September 15, 2026, claimed an Indian company named Omkam Aviations Pvt Ltd signed an LOI for 50 aircraft, though it remains unverified whether this is related to the Pinnacle Air agreement or represents a separate transaction.

UAC Chief Executive Officer Vadim Badekha stated the signings follow initial discussions that began when the aircraft was presented at the Wings India exhibition in January 2026.

“We saw strong interest in this aircraft from local operators, and today this interest was formalised in agreements. We plan to conclude the first firm Contracts by the end of this year,” Badekha said.

Aircraft production and certification hurdles

The Ilyushin Il-114-300 is a 68-seat regional turboprop powered by TV7-117ST-01 engines. The aircraft received its Russian type certificate in June 2026, clearing the design for serial production. Manufacturing is currently underway at UAC’s Lukhovitsy Aviation Plant near Moscow, with the first three production aircraft being assembled for domestic Russian operators. Initial Deliveries are projected by the end of 2026.

Dmitry Lelikov, Deputy General Director of Rostec, emphasized the aircraft’s domestic supply chain in the press release.

“The Il-114-300 is a fully Russian-made aircraft where all components from Avionics to the TV7-117ST-01 engines is produced by local manufacturers,” Lelikov said. “Utilization of the Il-114-300 by local airlines will facilitate implementation of the UDAN national program that is aimed at making air travel more accessible and involves setting up new regional Airports all over India.”

Before any deliveries to India can occur, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must validate the Russian type certificate. This regulatory process has not yet been completed.

Industrial partnership proposals

Beyond airframe sales, UAC is positioning the Il-114-300 as a vehicle for localized aerospace development in India. Discussions are ongoing regarding the localization of maintenance, training, and potentially the production of both the Il-114-300 and the SJ-100 regional jet.

“As our cooperation develops, we are prepared to move forward and transition to an industrial partnership for service, maintenance, personnel training, and even localisation of Il-114-300 production in India,” Badekha noted.

AirPro News analysis

We view these preliminary agreements as highly speculative. While the sheer volume of 85 aircraft makes for a strong headline, the transition from non-binding LOIs and MOUs to firm, funded contracts faces substantial obstacles. The signing entities lack the operational infrastructure of scheduled regional airlines, suggesting a complex leasing arrangement would be required to place these airframes with actual carriers like Air Kerala.

More critically, DGCA validation of a new Russian type certificate presents a significant regulatory hurdle. Given the current international sanctions environment affecting Russian aerospace supply chains and financial transactions, executing a large-scale export order and establishing localized maintenance facilities in India will require navigating severe logistical and diplomatic complexities. Until firm contracts are signed and DGCA certification is secured, this remains a statement of intent rather than a guaranteed production backlog.

Sources: Rostec