India advances its aerospace self-reliance following Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) MoU with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation on October 27, 2025, to manufacture the sanction-proof SJ-100 regional jet locally, enhancing regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme. Brazilian firm Embraer has accelerated talks post this pact, proposing full local production of its C-390 Millennium military transport for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft programme via partnership with Mahindra Defence, alongside E-Jet E2 assembly lines for civil aviation. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted these sanction-free options on November 26, 2025, positioning India as a manufacturing hub amid diversified partnerships. This strategy bolsters domestic capabilities, job creation, and geopolitical resilience in defence and aviation sectors.