In a significant development for India’s civil aviation and aerospace manufacturing ecosystem, Hyderabad-based Flamingo Aerospace has entered into a strategic partnership with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to bring the Ilyushin Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft to India. The collaboration marks a major step toward strengthening India’s regional air connectivity while expanding indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities under the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The agreement was announced on the sidelines of Wings India 2026, the country’s premier civil aviation exhibition, held in Hyderabad, where senior representatives from Flamingo Aerospace and UAC formalised a framework cooperation and supply agreement. As per the initial arrangement, six Il-114-300 aircraft will be supplied, with deliveries expected to begin from 2028, followed by phased localisation and manufacturing activities in India.

About the Il-114-300 Aircraft

The Il-114-300 is a next-generation regional turboprop aircraft developed by Russia’s Ilyushin Aviation Complex under UAC. It is designed to carry up to 68 passengers and is optimised for short-haul and regional routes, particularly in areas with limited airport infrastructure.

The aircraft is powered by TV7-117ST-01 turboprop engines, developed by the United Engine Corporation (UEC), and is capable of operating in extreme climatic conditions, ranging from sub-zero Arctic temperatures to hot and humid tropical environments. With its ability to take off and land on short and semi-prepared runways, the Il-114-300 is positioned as a strong contender for regional connectivity markets dominated by aircraft such as the ATR-72 and Dash-8.

Industry experts note that the aircraft’s fuel efficiency, rugged design and lower operating costs make it particularly suitable for India’s tier-II and tier-III city routes, as well as remote and underserved regions.

Details of the Flamingo–UAC Partnership

Under the agreement, Flamingo Aerospace will initially procure six Il-114-300 aircraft from UAC. Beyond supply, the partnership outlines a long-term roadmap that includes:

• Assembly and localisation of aircraft components in India

• Establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities

• Development of a local supplier ecosystem for parts and systems

• Training of Indian engineers, technicians and pilots

• Potential expansion into full-scale manufacturing depending on market demand

The phased approach is aimed at gradually transferring technology and industrial capability, positioning India as a regional hub for turboprop aircraft manufacturing and support services.

Flamingo Aerospace: India’s Emerging Aviation Player

Founded in 2022, Flamingo Aerospace is a private Indian aerospace and aviation company headquartered in Hyderabad, a growing centre for aerospace and defence manufacturing. The company focuses on regional aircraft programmes, aviation engineering services, MRO development and sustainable aviation solutions.

Flamingo’s leadership has repeatedly emphasised the need for India to develop home-grown regional aircraft capabilities to support domestic aviation growth. With India now the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, demand for efficient short-haul aircraft is expected to rise sharply over the next decade.

The Il-114-300 programme aligns with Flamingo’s vision of creating an end-to-end aviation ecosystem, starting with aircraft acquisition and moving toward local manufacturing and lifecycle support.

Strategic Importance for India’s Aviation Sector

The Flamingo-UAC collaboration comes at a time when India is aggressively expanding regional air connectivity through schemes such as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik). While India has witnessed rapid growth in metro-to-metro air travel, connectivity to smaller cities and remote regions remains limited.

Regional turboprop aircraft like the Il-114-300 are seen as critical to bridging this gap, offering:

• Lower operating costs for airlines

• Ability to operate from smaller airports

• Improved connectivity to remote and hilly regions

• Support for tourism, trade and economic development

Aviation analysts believe the introduction of an additional aircraft platform could also reduce dependence on a limited set of foreign suppliers, increase competition and provide airlines with more fleet options.

Part of Broader Indo-Russian Civil Aviation Cooperation

The Il-114-300 agreement complements a broader trend of expanding Indo-Russian cooperation in civil aviation. Earlier, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an agreement with UAC to manufacture the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) in India, signalling a diversification of aviation ties beyond defence aircraft.

For Russia, partnerships with Indian firms offer access to one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets at a time when Western sanctions have constrained its traditional export channels. For India, these collaborations present opportunities to build industrial capability, acquire technology and create skilled jobs.

Economic and Industrial Impact

If fully realised, the Il-114-300 programme could generate significant economic benefits, including:

• Creation of high-skilled aerospace jobs

• Boost to India’s aerospace manufacturing supply chain

• Development of regional MRO hubs serving South Asia

• Strengthening of India’s position in the global aviation value chain

Officials involved in the programme have indicated that future phases could include higher localisation levels, depending on airline interest and regulatory clearances.

Looking Ahead

While the agreement is currently at a framework stage, industry observers view it as a strategic entry point into regional aircraft manufacturing in India. The success of the programme will depend on certification timelines, airline orders, regulatory approvals and the pace of localisation.

Nevertheless, the Flamingo Aerospace–UAC partnership represents a notable shift in India’s civil aviation landscape, reflecting growing confidence in domestic aerospace capability and a clear focus on regional connectivity as the next frontier of aviation growth.

As India prepares for a sustained expansion in air travel, initiatives such as the Il-114-300 programme could play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive, resilient and self-reliant aviation ecosystem.