Indian Aviation Firms Ink Preliminary Deals for 85 Russian Il-114-300 Turboprops
In a significant development at the INNOPROM India exhibition held in New Delhi on September 10, 2026, two domestic aviation companies signaled a potential pivot toward Russian-manufactured regional aircraft. Preliminary agreements were signed for the procurement of 85 Il-114-300 turboprop planes, marking a noteworthy move for the country’s burgeoning regional connectivity sector.
The agreements, which remain non-binding at this stage, involve Pinnacle Air and Sleek Aviation. Pinnacle Air has formalized its interest through a letter of intent for 50 aircraft, while Gurugram-based Sleek Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding for 35 units. As part of their broader commitment, Sleek Aviation is also exploring the establishment of a dedicated training facility equipped with a full-flight simulator to support the fleet’s operations.
Expanding Regional Connectivity under UDAN
The Il-114-300 is a 68-seat turboprop specifically engineered for short-haul, regional routes. Manufacturers believe the aircraft is well-suited for India’s ambitious UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) program, which focuses on enhancing air connectivity to smaller, tier-two, and tier-three cities.
According to United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of the Russian state-owned conglomerate Rostec, the aircraft is designed to operate efficiently at airports with limited ground infrastructure. Featuring indigenous Russian engines and advanced avionics, the model is being pitched as a robust solution for carriers looking to serve regions where larger jet aircraft are neither economical nor logistically feasible.
A Legacy Reimagined
The Il-114-300 represents an evolution of a Soviet-era design that first saw the skies in 1990. Following a production lull—during which only 20 units were manufactured before the line was halted in 2012—the aircraft was overhauled and modernized. The updated variant successfully completed its maiden flight in December 2020, featuring significant technical upgrades over its predecessor.
This latest development follows a move earlier this year by Flamingo Aerospace, which signed a preliminary agreement in January 2026 for six of the same aircraft, with deliveries tentatively scheduled for 2028.
The Path to Finalization
While the exhibition provided a platform for these initial signatures, both parties have clarified that these documents do not constitute firm orders. UAC aims to transition these preliminary agreements into legally binding contracts by the conclusion of 2026.
The path forward involves complex negotiations regarding the logistics of the deal. Specific terms, including definitive delivery timelines, comprehensive maintenance packages, and potential localization agreements—which would mandate the manufacturing of certain components within India—are yet to be finalized.
Industry observers remain keen to see how these deals progress, particularly given the current profiles of the purchasing entities. Neither Pinnacle Air nor Sleek Aviation currently operates as a commercial passenger airline, raising questions about their strategic intent. It remains to be seen whether these firms plan to enter the competitive domestic regional airline market as carriers or serve as leasing and support entities for the growing Indian aviation ecosystem. As 2026 draws to a close, the industry waits to see if these letters of intent will lead to a permanent expansion of the Russian-made footprint in India’s regional skies.
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