India, Jan. 25 -- Russia's decision to debut the Ilyushin IL-114-300 and the Superjet SJ-100 in India at Wings India 2026, beginning in Hyderabad on 28 January, marks a significant inflection point in India-Russia economic and industrial engagement, extending cooperation decisively into the civil aviation domain for the first time at scale.

Observers note that the move represents more than an airshow display: it signals Moscow's intent to enter India's fast-expanding regional aviation market with a long-term industrial proposition rather than a narrow sales pitch.

India's aviation growth story has so far been defined by mega orders for narrow-body jets from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and US-based Boeing. Beneath that headline...