The first data about Russia and Belarus possibly developing a union aircraft appeared a few months ago, and now the issue is being studied, the project is at the stage of intergovernmental agreement. This was announced on the Belarusian TV channel STV by the chief engineer of the Belarusian 558th Aircraft Repair Plant, Andrey Tuchin.
Of course, I think that this is a prospect in the near future. The studies started this year, and now it is at the stage of intergovernmental agreement. As soon as the decision about funding of the project is made, I think that the work will get more speed this year. But even without waiting for the decision, our enterprise is working with our Russian partner on all technical aspects, options of cooperation. We even delve into the details.
There is no name for the project yet, but it is known that the union plane will be equipped with two turboprop engines VK-800C. It will have a non-retractable landing gear and will be designed to carry 19 passengers. The aircraft is being developed in cooperation with the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) and the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant. The new model will replace the Czech L-410 planes in Russia, the maintenance of which has become a big problem after the sanctions were imposed.
Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov reported that the union aircraft will be certified in 2027, and it will start operating in 2028.