hyderabad, Jan. 29 -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Wednesday signed an agreement with Russian firm United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to pursue the licensed production of the 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 signal HAL's new push to boost its minuscule civil business, which accounts for barely 5% of its total 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 four-day civil aviation show that began at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The SJ-100, Dhruv NG and Hindustan-228 light transport aircraft, on display at the show, will spearhead HAL's ambitious civil campaign, he said. The teaming agreement signed with UAC seeks to lay the groundwork for production of the SJ-100, a twin-engine narrow-body aircraft, in India within three years. Before production of the 103-seater aircraft begins, HAL will facilitate the lease of up to 10 SJ-100s to Indian operators directly from UAC over the next 18 months-a step aimed at gaining a better grasp of issues related to aircraft maintenance and ground support. The regional jet, Sunil said, will fill a key gap in short-haul connectivity and boost self-reliance in the civil aviation sector. The teaming agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the two firms in Moscow in October 2025 for SJ-100 production....