Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation has signed agreements in India covering 85 Ilyushin Il-114-300 turboprops for Indian operators, with Pinnacle Air set for 50 aircraft and Sleek Aviation for 35. The deals were unveiled in New Delhi during Innoprom India, while a separate plan would add up to 20 aircraft for Air Kerala, taking the prospective total to 105.
The arrangements are not firm orders yet. Public reporting indicates they are letters of intent and a memorandum of understanding, with UAC aiming to turn them into binding contracts by the end of 2026. Russian industry officials have framed the move as part of broader India-Russia aviation cooperation.
The Il-114-300 is being pitched for India’s regional market and linked to the UDAN connectivity programme, as well as the replacement of ageing turboprops such as the An-24 and An-26. Reports also point to possible follow-on work in training, maintenance and local industrial cooperation, including a training centre with a full-flight simulator at an operator’s base. Earlier preliminary interest from Flamingo Aerospace suggests UAC is building a wider customer base for the type in India.