The problem with the Russian aircraft industry is not the engineers, but the outdated production base. This opinion was expressed by military expert Harrison Kaas in the article "Why Russia Can No Longer Build Airplanes" for The National Interest.
The Russians are capable of producing such impressive aircraft as the Su-57, but the production rates are significantly lower than in the US and China.
After the collapse of the USSR, many design bureaus and aircraft factories were left without funding, Kaas explained. The merger of a number of enterprises under the auspices of the UAC made it possible to maintain some production capabilities, but this led to bureaucratization of the system, he added.
Production facilities became obsolete, and the country stopped training new personnel for the aviation industry. A significant part of highly qualified engineers retired.
Despite Russia's statements, the country depends on foreign components for aircraft. For decades, Moscow has relied on imports of electronics, avionics and special materials for aviation. All this has made Russia vulnerable to supply disruptions, Kaas stressed.
If we don't take sanctions into account, Russia has long had difficulties scaling up mass production. The country does not have advanced automated assembly lines like Boeing or Lockheed Martin. In addition, Russia lags behind the US and China in digital design and additive technologies.
As a result, the US and China can create and test prototypes much faster than Russia. As an example, Kaas cited the Su-57, which first flew in 2010. But, according to the expert, since its debut, not so many of these fighters have entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Read also on the topic:
- "Queue of customers": Su-34, Su-35S and Su-57 fighters have aroused great interest abroad
- The National Interest: Russia has started production of Su-34 fighters for Algeria
- "Not enough stealth technology": The National Interest explained why India will abandon the Su-57 in favor of the French Rafale
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