In the medium term, a completely new regional aircraft with a capacity of up to 19 people may appear in Russia. It is being developed by UZGA – the Ural Civil Aviation Plant, which is also working on the LMS-901 Baikal and TVRS-44 Ladoga aircraft.
UZGA is going to certify and start transferring the new aircraft to customers in 2026, according to a company representative. The new model will replace the Czech L-410 turboprops, with the maintenance of airworthiness of which there are now (due to sanctions) big problems.
The airframe of the new aircraft is planned to be created in partnership between Russia and Belarus. Negotiations are currently underway between the parties.
«We have studied in detail the market for local airlines aircraft, so we have an understanding of what kind of aircraft appearance will be most attractive to potential operators both in Russia and abroad,» – said the representative of UZGA.
The power plant of the new aircraft will use the VK-800 engine, and the on-board equipment will be a complex developed by KRET in 2019.