The start of deliveries of the SJ-100 with Russian PD-8 engines has been postponed to 2026. This information was confirmed by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Rostec. The aircraft's certification has also been moved to next year.
Rostec explained that the production timeframes for the import-substituted passenger aircraft remain record-breaking. The corporation reminded that the basic aircraft was created in collaboration with foreign partners, who provided their systems and components, over 10 years. And now, due to sanctions and international pressure, the SJ-100 has to be assembled again.
Completely new domestic analogues, key components and assemblies, including the power plant, onboard electronics, and software, have been created from scratch.
Airlines were promised to receive 30 import-substituted SJ-100s in 2026. However, according to the plan, 60 aircraft were supposed to be shipped by this time. Currently, 16 aircraft are in various stages of readiness.
Postponement of the Release of All Civil Aircraft Confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade
The development of Russian civil aviation is progressing at a slow pace. The deliveries of MS-21-310, Tu-214, Il-114-300, and "Baikal" have also been postponed. The Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that the aircraft will not be delivered to operators earlier than 2025-2026. It is specified that the aircraft could not pass certification because the stated characteristics were not confirmed.
For example, the weight of the import-substituted MS-21-310 has increased by 6 tons compared to the MS-21-300. Considering this, the flight range has been reduced to 2.8 thousand km, and the flight altitude - to 7 km with a maximum load of 20.3 tons.
What Putin Said About the Development of Civil Aviation
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in his address to the Federal Assembly on February 29 that the cost of air travel should decrease. According to him, by 2030, the intensity of air traffic, including between regions, should increase by 1.5 times compared to last year.
The head of state drew attention to the need to develop the airport network. In the coming years, about 75 air harbors need to be modernized. The authorities will allocate at least 250 billion rubles for these purposes. He also pointed out the problems with import substitution in Russian aircraft. This happened because the country had been buying foreign aircraft for too long and had not been engaged in its own developments in the field of aviation.
Rostec to Acquire New Machines
In 2024, Rostec plans to install more than 200 new machines at the engine-building enterprise in Rybinsk. The plant has received 30 units of high-tech modern equipment. Specialists are already using a unique Russian complex for laser cutting and welding of aircraft engine parts. It is necessary for processing working and nozzle blades of engines. The opening of a workshop with a turning and milling machine park is expected.