RuAviation

In late October 2025, Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (Minpromtorg) clarified the parameters of its engine replacement program for SSJ100 regional jets. Anton Alikhanov, head of Minpromtorg, announced that the government plans to support airlines in re-engining their existing Superjet fleet (currently equipped with Franco-Russian SaM146 powerplants) with indigenous PD-8 engines. State financial participation is considered a key instrument to preserve the fleet, especially given the absence of alternative supplies for critical French-made components.

The Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia (Rosaviatsiya) noted that the transition to new engines is on the working agenda and may commence after the PD-8 engine completes its certification process. According to Rostec’s press service, updating the powerplant will necessitate modifications to several onboard systems. The project’s technical feasibility study confirms the SSJ100 airframe possesses sufficient operational life for long-term re-equipment. The economic viability of these investments, however, will depend on airlines’ willingness to finance the re-engining and support the operation of the updated fleet.

For 2026, Minpromtorg intends to finance a comprehensive set of research and development (R&D) activities. These efforts will focus on the technical aspects of engine replacement while ensuring the preservation of all mounting and system interfaces. The ministry will oversee the preparation of design solutions and detailed engineering studies essential for launching a large-scale re-engining program for operational Superjet aircraft with PD-8 engines. Funding for this initiative is planned through federal budget allocations and is currently under government consideration.

The shift to the PD-8 engine aims to reduce the Russian regional aviation sector’s reliance on imported components, enhance resilience against international sanctions, and bolster the manufacturing sovereignty of Russia’s domestic aviation industry. Serial operation of the new engines will become possible only after the successful completion of certification and the establishment of the necessary maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure.

The overall implementation of this program hinges directly on several critical factors: the successful completion of PD-8 testing, the issuance of its type certificate, the economic attractiveness for air carriers, and the contractors’ readiness to execute all engineering tasks within the stipulated timelines.