At Wings India 2026 in Begumpet, one aircraft emerged as a quiet but significant highlight for policymakers and aviation leaders — the SJ-100 regional jet. Displayed prominently, the 100-seat twin-engine aircraft underscored Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) growing push into India’s civil aviation sector. HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil described the SJ-100 as a key pillar of the company’s long-term strategy. While civil aviation currently contributes only around five per cent of HAL’s revenue, the company aims to increase this share to nearly 25 per cent in the coming years. With appropriate retooling and certification, these facilities are expected to support civil aircraft manufacturing and allow HAL to scale production in line with airline requirements.