Omkam Aviations Pvt. Ltd. has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) for the proposed acquisition of 50 IL-114-300 regional aircraft, marking a significant development in India’s regional aviation and aerospace manufacturing ambitions. The agreement was announced during the INNOPROM India trade fair in New Delhi and outlines a phased plan that could eventually lead to aircraft assembly and manufacturing in India.
Under the proposed arrangement, the initial phase is expected to involve six IL-114-300 aircraft. Omkam Aviations plans to subsequently establish an assembly line in India and move towards domestic manufacturing through a technology transfer agreement with UAC. The company has also indicated that aircraft produced in India could potentially serve both the domestic market and international customers.
The IL-114-300 is a twin-engine turboprop regional aircraft designed for short- and medium-distance passenger operations. With a capacity of around 66 to 68 passengers, the aircraft is intended for regional routes and operations from airports with relatively limited infrastructure. Omkam Aviations sees the aircraft as a potential option for strengthening direct air connectivity between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India.
The company has identified potential regional routes connecting cities such as Meerut, Noida and Agra, where improved direct connectivity could support passenger movement without requiring connections through larger aviation hubs. The proposed deployment of the aircraft comes as India continues to focus on expanding regional air connectivity and improving access to smaller cities.
The initial investment associated with the first six aircraft and supporting infrastructure has been reported at around ₹1,500 crore. Further investment would be required if the programme progresses from initial aircraft procurement and assembly towards larger-scale manufacturing. Russia’s Sberbank has also expressed support in principle for financing the proposed venture.
The planned technology transfer and Indian assembly component gives the proposal a wider industrial dimension beyond aircraft procurement. If the roadmap moves forward, the project could contribute to the development of domestic capabilities in aircraft assembly, maintenance, engineering and related aviation supply chains.
The proposed cooperation also reflects continuing India-Russia engagement in the aerospace sector, extending their established defence and industrial relationship into regional civil aviation. For Omkam Aviations, the 50-aircraft LOI represents the beginning of a longer-term plan involving aircraft introduction, Indian assembly and eventually domestic production.
While the LOI outlines the proposed 50-aircraft programme, subsequent commercial agreements, regulatory approvals, financing arrangements and manufacturing milestones will determine how the project progresses. If implemented as announced, the initiative could establish an additional regional aircraft platform in India while creating opportunities for local assembly, technology transfer and broader aerospace manufacturing.