Overview
Omkam Aviations Pvt Ltd announced that it has entered into an advanced discussion with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to purchase fifty IL‑114‑300 regional turboprop aircraft. The announcement was made at the Innoprom India trade fair held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Initial Batch and Investment
The first batch will consist of six aircraft, which will be assembled in India. Omkam estimates the investment required for these six aircraft and the associated support systems at approximately Rs 1,500 crore. The company indicated that further investments will rise as the project scales toward larger‑scale manufacturing.
Technology Transfer and Localisation
Omkam plans to establish a local assembly line and pursue a full Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with UAC, targeting 100 percent domestic manufacture of the IL‑114‑300. The firm also envisions the possibility of exporting aircraft produced in India to overseas markets once full localisation is achieved.
Aircraft Specifications and Market Fit
The IL‑114‑300 is a twin‑engine turboprop designed to carry 66‑68 passengers and operate on regional routes, including airports with shorter runways and limited ground infrastructure. Executive Director Aditya Aggarwal highlighted that the aircraft could enhance direct connectivity between smaller Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities, citing potential routes such as Meerut‑Mumbai, Noida‑Agra‑Pune and similar corridors.
Funding and Strategic Partnerships
Sberbank of Russia has, in principle, committed to support the venture with the requisite funding. Co‑Founder and Director Govind Gupta stated that localising aircraft manufacturing and maintenance infrastructure would strengthen the strategic and industrial bond between India and Russia.
Alignment with National Initiatives
The project is presented as supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar” initiatives, reinforcing domestic manufacturing capabilities in the civil aviation sector.
Regulatory and Commercial Conditions
The proposed manufacturing and technology‑transfer arrangements are subject to the execution of definitive agreements, receipt of regulatory approvals, and compliance with all applicable processes.