NEW DELHI: India&#39;s state-owned aeronautics firm said Tuesday it had signed a deal with a Russian aircraft manufacturer under US and European sanctions, a move likely to irk New Delhi&#39;s Western allies.&nbsp;Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced the deal with United Aircraft Corporation to manufacture civil passenger aircraft in India for the first time.&nbsp;India&#39;s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a post on X, hailed &quot;a landmark step for the Indian civil aviation sector&quot; that will create jobs and boost self-reliance.&nbsp;The United States and some other Western partners have previously criticised India&#39;s policy towards Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, demanding that Delhi comply with their sanctions against Moscow.&nbsp;India in turn has said it does not subscribe to unilateral sanction measures.&nbsp;According to the aircraft deal inked in Moscow, HAL will partner with the Russian United Aircraft Corporation to produce SJ-100 twin-engine, narrow-body planes for domestic customers.&nbsp;HAL said in a social media post that it would be &quot;the first instance wherein a complete passenger aircraft will be produced in India&quot;.&nbsp;Both HAL and Singh called it a &quot;game-changer for short-haul connectivity&quot;.&nbsp;The deal highlights Delhi&#39;s continued defence and energy ties with Moscow, despite mounting scrutiny over its oil purchases from Russia.&nbsp;In August, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50 percent, with Washington accusing India of fuelling Russia&#39;s war in Ukraine.&nbsp;Trump recently claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to reduce Russian oil imports as part of a potential trade agreement, but there was no confirmation from Delhi.

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The aircraft deal inked in Moscow, HAL will partner with the Russian United Aircraft Corporation to produce SJ-100 twin-engine, narrow-body planes for domestic customers

Articles tagged with "sanctioned Russian firm"

India signs aircraft deal with sanctioned Russian firm

India signs aircraft deal with sanctioned Russian firm