RuAviation

During a plenary discussion at the 12th National Aviation Infrastructure Show & Forum (NAIS) 2025 in Moscow, Vadim Badeha, Director General of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), provided an update on the current status of the corporation’s civil programmes, focusing on the MC-21-310, SJ-100, and Il-114-300 projects. Mr. Badeha emphasised the development and implementation of entirely domestically-sourced systems for the new Russian airliners.

As part of the import substitution programme, efforts are underway not only to develop airframes and engines, but also all other systems and units requiring replacement with Russian-made equivalents. The phase of developing and creating prototypes has been completed, and these have already been installed on the prototype aircraft. In 2025, the plan is to ramp up work across the entire civil aircraft range, including conducting certification flight tests for the Superjet and MC-21 in their Russian configuration, including the maiden flight of the SJ-100 powered by the domestically-produced PD-8 engine.

“This year, we face our most crucial task – commencing and executing an intensive programme of certification flight trials. In parallel, we are scaling up series production so that we can promptly begin deliveries upon receipt of the Type Certificates,” said Vadim Badeha.

Concurrently with the development of new aircraft, UAC continues to support the existing fleet of SSJ100 aircraft, which are operating passenger services with seven Russian airlines. Since entering service, the SSJ100 fleet has accumulated over 1,745,000 flight hours, with a total of more than 977,000 flights completed.

A top priority for UAC is maintaining the airworthiness and ensuring the supply of spare parts to the SSJ100 operators. Since February 2022, the number of SSJ100 components serviced in Russia has increased more than fivefold to 311 items. Alternative suppliers have been secured from amongst Russian companies for 214 components, reducing reliance on foreign vendors.

At Lukhovitsy, on the premises of MiG Aircraft Corporation, an intensive flight test programme is ongoing for the Il-114-300 aircraft, powered by the TV7-117ST-01 engine, which has undergone a series of modifications. This aircraft, constructed entirely from Russian components, has already completed more than 70 flights, including over 20 certification flights, accumulating more than 200 flight hours. Plans are in place to add another prototype to the test programme this year to increase its intensity. Series production is already underway, and three Il-114-300 aircraft are scheduled to be handed over for operation in 2026.

Furthermore, Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, also made a number of significant announcements during the NAIS 2025 exhibition and forum. According to him, the first Tu-214 aircraft will be delivered this year in the volumes stipulated by the comprehensive aircraft industry development programme. This constitutes four aircraft.

Regarding the commencement of serial deliveries of the MC-21 in 2026, the Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that the ministry remains committed to the previously approved plans.

“We are already starting deliveries of MC-21 aircraft to airlines under contract next year. This year, the first Tu-214s will be delivered according to the plans approved in the comprehensive programme,” the Minister said, speaking at the plenary session of the exhibition.

“Right now, our main task is to begin the flight certification trials,” he added, referring the question about specific flight dates to the Head of UAC, Vadim Badeha.

To ensure the achievement of these objectives, UAC is implementing programmes for accelerated development and increased production capacity at its plants. Active training of personnel and engineers is also underway, which is essential for the successful adoption of new technologies and the implementation of the production programme.