This week, Russia and Belarus signed an intergovernmental agreement that will strengthen scientific and production relations between the states. Moscow and Minsk will jointly develop and produce Osvey twin-engine light multi-purpose aircraft. They will not only make remote settlements more accessible and transport people, but also help geological exploration and other work with cargo transportation.
The UZGA from Russia and the 558th Aviation Repair Plant from Belarus will design and finance this aircraft. The 19-seat aircraft with non-retractable landing gear is planned to be produced at the 558th Aviation Repair Plant. The light aircraft will be powered by a Russian VK-800 turboprop engine, and the onboard equipment was planned to be created based on KRET developments. At the same time, as noted at the beginning of the year, the Belarusian side needs to complete the construction of production areas and purchase about a hundred units of highly complex equipment for production.
The agreement describes in more detail how the process of creating a new vehicle will take place "in the interests of national security and technological sovereignty" of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. UZGA and the 558th ARZ will be involved in the project on an equal footing, as was said before, the customers of the R&D project on the Russian side are the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and on the Belarusian side — the State Military-Industrial Committee.
The quality of work will be controlled by an independent inspection accredited by the authorized body of Russia in the field of flight suitability. Military representatives from the Belarusian side will be involved in the technical acceptance of the R&D stages.
After that, the products will have to undergo certification — UZGA is responsible for certification for the type of aircraft, its parts and their modifications, and 558th ARZ is responsible for production certification. At the same time, the Belarusian plant has licenses for the serial production of aircraft and their modifications with the right to make changes to them.
The first 19-seat Osvey turboprop aircraft may be released as early as 2026, as previously stated, and sent into active operation by 2028. By 2030, it is planned to build from 85 to 100 aircraft, of which "at least 89 copies" will be bought by Russia. And by 2038, the Russian side will provide the Belarusian plant with a volume of orders for "at least 178 fuselages" of Osveys.
Earlier it became known that the production of Russian Baikal and Ladoga aircraft may begin at Belarusian factories. It is also planned to manufacture components for Russian Tu-214, Il-96, MS-21 aircraft in this republic.
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