India, Jan. 28 -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Wednesday signed an agreement with Russian firm United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to pursue the licenced production of regional commercial aircraft SJ-100, and another deal with Pawan Hans Limited for supplying 10 Dhruv NG (new generation) choppers to the helicopter service provider; the developments signalling HAL's new push to boost its miniscule civil business that accounts for barely 5% of its turnover.

"Our business is structured around military platforms and we are now looking at diversifying into the civil sector as a corporate strategy. Around 25% of our turnover is likely to come from non-military business in another 10 years," HAL chairman DK Sunil said at Wings India 2026, the...