RuAviation

In an interview with Expert magazine, Sergei Chemezov, head of Rostec, discussed the extensive changes occurring in the Russian aviation industry. Over the past three years, the country has made significant strides, substituting nearly 80 key components for Russian aircraft – from engines down to seats.

“Experience has shown that the global division of labour is a very unreliable thing. Therefore, we are tackling a complex task: creating aircraft where everything is domestically produced. We are replacing nearly 80 items – engines, other units, systems, and even seats. This will guarantee that Russia, a country with vast territories, won’t be left without aircraft. There will always be a way to fly from Moscow to Vladivostok,” said the Rostec chief.

According to him, one of the main achievements has been the progress on the MC-21 and Superjet 100 projects. Both aircraft are in the final stages of certification. More than 200 enterprises across the country are involved in their development. Sergei Chemezov emphasised that the Superjet is receiving high praise from pilots, and its new version will be even better. The MC-21, meanwhile, is positioned as a future flagship with innovative solutions, such as a composite wing and enhanced passenger comfort.

Demand for domestically produced aircraft is growing. Airlines are already prepared to purchase 200 MC-21, SJ-100, and Tu-214 aircraft. These are not framework agreements, but firm orders or guaranteed deals. This is an important signal for the industry: production will be secured by orders, Chemezov explained.

He noted that engagement with airlines is ongoing, and the number of orders could increase. For the Russian aviation industry, this is a chance to strengthen its position in the domestic market and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. At the same time, the Rostec chief acknowledged that in other sectors, such as medicine or machine tool manufacturing, much remains to be done.

The aviation industry demonstrates how cooperation between enterprises and careful planning can achieve results. The MC-21 and Superjet are not just new models, but symbols of technological independence. Their success could be a launchpad for other industries.

The question of competition remains. For now, the main goal is to win the trust of Russian airlines. The wide aisles, large windows, and capacious overhead lockers in the MC-21 are a step in the right direction. But the key factor will be reliability and cost-effectiveness in operation.

Rostec is betting on a complete production cycle within the country. This is a challenging task, but it is being tackled. Chemezov is confident: Russia won’t be left without aircraft. Moreover, the industry has every chance not only to maintain but also to expand its presence in the market.