Russia Woo India with Local Production of MC-21 and Il-114-300 Aircraft if 200 Aircraft Ordered

As India's aviation sector experiences rapid growth, Russia has presented a compelling proposition to manufacture its commercial aircraft, the MC-21 and Il-114-300, locally within the country.

This comes as major Western manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, have yet to establish final assembly lines in India, despite Indian Airlines being a significant customer for both companies.

Russia's state-owned aerospace conglomerate, Rostec, has proposed various levels of industrial cooperation, ranging from establishing maintenance and service centers to full-fledged assembly lines. The latter would require a substantial order of around 200 aircraft to be economically feasible.

This move by Russia could be seen as strategic, capitalizing on the burgeoning Indian aviation market and the hesitancy of Western companies to commit to local manufacturing.

While Indian Airlines has not yet purchased the MC-21 or Il-114-300, the potential for future orders and the broader need for domestically produced aircraft is clear.

Benefits and Challenges for India​

Local production of Russian aircraft would bring several advantages to India. It could lead to increased self-reliance in the aviation sector, with improved control over maintenance, parts availability, and potential technology transfer. This aligns with India's broader goals of developing its domestic aerospace industry.

However, entering into such an agreement with Russia could also strain India's relationship with Airbus and Boeing, potentially hindering future collaborations and technology sharing with these companies. Balancing the benefits of local production with maintaining strategic partnerships will be a key challenge for India.

Additional Considerations​

Rostec's proposal includes the establishment of training centers for Indian personnel to operate and maintain the Russian aircraft, further solidifying the potential partnership.

Additionally, the Il-114-300 is a turboprop aircraft, which could be particularly well-suited for regional connectivity within India, a key focus area for the government.

The decision to pursue local production of Russian aircraft would represent a significant shift in India's aviation landscape. As the country continues to grow as a major aviation hub, the choices it makes regarding manufacturing partnerships will have long-term implications for its aerospace industry and international relationships.

 

[Pink Panther]

If a seperate ministry for manufacturing is set up, things can speed up.

we have been speeding up to make a 4th gen aircraft for the last 30 years, still no success, while some Countries are making 6th gen jets.

 

[Varaaah]

Set up dedicated R&D divisions by attracting the best specialists from all over the world. This is a great weapon which all the MNC use to stay ahead and develop new technologies. When the PMO can be filled with Harvard people who have no regard for Hinduism and Nationalism, then why this hesitation to attract the best? India will not win the technology race as long as they do not accept this strategy.

 

[War is good for business]

In airlines there are requirement of small to medium to big planes don't forget airbus a320 is used air india and indigo airlines and many other air lines. UDAN scheme has local air transport also it doesn't stick to international routes only. In UDAN scheme majority routes are local Routes only.
New engines or different engines of same category can be procured procured too it's not a difficult task. And which heavier components you are talking about please specify.

As you said UDAN covers local routes so much smaller aircraft would be needed. If a route has enough passengers to support a A320 then it would not fall in UDAN category at all.

 

[Joseph Thomas]

Even in 1947 we had an aircraft manufacturing industry. We license manufactured the HS748 starting more than 60 years ago. The only reason why we are importing more than 1500 airliners is that the usual suspects lack confidence. Give the task to ISRO and they will deliver.

 

[Joseph Thomas]

ya we are making it RTA 70 and RTA 90 since 2007 still under development and according to this pace you can calculate how much time it will take.
see India has no experience in making transport aircraft we surely need help in this field.

India started making transport aircraft under license more than 60 years ago. At that time it was announced that the next aircraft would be designed and manufactured in India. But 20 years later, we started license manufacture of the Dornier 228. It was again announced that the next aircraft would be designed and manufactured din India. Instead, we have gone into the license manufacture of the C-295. This time there was no announcement. The only problem is that the usual suspects lack confidence. The solution is to give the task to ISRO.

 

[W.J. D]

Nothing is impossible. We have reached the stars, now we are on the verge of producing the reusable shuttle. It only needs political will. Allow India engineers a free hand and I am sure things will be different. Why wait for the bigwigs to chip in or collaborate.

 

[AS Narayanan]

Government policies are the drivers and determinants of establishing and evolution of a commercial aircraft manufacturing eco system in India or any other country, for that matter. We had poor leadership led by dynasty for close to 6 decades who created and propagated a narrative that INDIA CANNOT DO THIS , WE ARE NOT UPTO THE MARK etc. Look at USA, UK, France etc.... everything is hunky Dory there..... Post 2014, we have a very visionary & capable leadership and transformative policies are being implemented vigorously now. But all the old baggage of myopic governance and inaction will take time to overcome. Its not an overnight magic. For example, PLI has revolutionised mobile phone manufacturing. Apple will produce 25% of their mobiles in India by next year. So we can definitely hope that the government will earnestly try to usher in aircraft manufacturing eco system too in India in due course of time!!!

 

[kumar]

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.....Nobody in this world will offer what Russia is offering. Even if we learn how to make the fuselage...this is worth it.

And the MC-21has a 400 aircraft order book with 15/20 deliveries till date with stellar saftey record. This aircraft will come at a 1/3 rd price of a A-320 NEO.

If MC-21 has good aviation safety record then we can go for it. But provided we avoid su30 type deal and let the Russians establish complete manufacturing and support lines with TOT for critical parts in India.

 

[kumar]

If MC21 safety record is good then we can buy it with full tot for production and manufacturing.

 

[SK]

Indian-Govt should consider to invite Brazil's Embraer to sell & manufacture Aircraft under Make-in-India program but Russia's offer is something that should be taken seriously as West isn't ready to help us but has established production lines in China.

 

[Shanker]

The government should use stick and carrot for getting them to make those aircrafts here. Otherwise, they are only interested in exploiting us. Already, the South Koreans are looting us by refusing to import from India, and exporting just a fraction of their cars from here!

 

[Anonymus]

MC-21 is a A320, Boeing 737 category aircraft and is unsuitable for UDAN routes. To certify in India, the P&W 1400G engine needs to be revived and many components where heavier Russian components have been used needs to be replaced.

In airlines there are requirement of small to medium to big planes don't forget airbus a320 is used air india and indigo airlines and many other air lines. UDAN scheme has local air transport also it doesn't stick to international routes only. In UDAN scheme majority routes are local Routes only.
New engines or different engines of same category can be procured procured too it's not a difficult task. And which heavier components you are talking about please specify.