In the summer of 2022, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade promised that the certification of the LMS-901 "Baikal" would take place in 2023, after which serial production of the An-2 replacement would begin. "Pervy Tekhnichesky" reports on the status of the program as of May 2026.
What was promised
The Ministry of Industry and Trade then noted that "Baikals" would become the basis of the small aviation fleet in Russia. Literally: "certification is planned for 2023, after which serial production of aircraft will begin."
The department also stated that mass production of aircraft is planned to begin earlier than the theoretical completion of the TVS-2MS engine re-engineering. At that time, a period of 3-5 years was indicated.
What is being promised now
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Gennady Abramenkov in April admitted that the certification of the LMS-901 "Baikal" may be completed in 2027, although the department continues to aim for 2026.
In parallel with flight tests, work is underway to form a portfolio of orders. The State Transport Leasing Company has concluded an agreement for the supply of the first series of 10 aircraft. Another 50 aircraft were ordered by "Aerokhimflot".
However, the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov immediately stipulated that "Baikal" is not considered a replacement for the An-2.
According to him, the LMS-901 was initially built to meet current modern safety requirements, and the characteristics of the "Baikal" were formed by future operators.
What's the catch
Independent aviation expert Alexey Zakharov emphasized that work on the LMS-901 "Baikal" is currently at a dead end. According to him, the situation has not changed for the better, the light aircraft is "constantly being refined."
He cited the frequency tests on the third prototype as an indirect sign of this.
Retired Rear Admiral Vladimir Dudko explained that the "Baikal" will under no circumstances replace Soviet An-2 biplanes due to design features and increased runway requirements.
By the way, "Pervy Tekhnichesky" conducted a direct comparison of the characteristics of the 70-year-old An-2 and the "Baikal". The Soviet biplane won with a score of 2:1.
