Tu-214 project proposed to be resumed until the MC-21 meets the range needs

Aviation expert Panteleev: the need for Tu-214 would not exist if there was an MC-21-400 with a flight range of 7000 km

Resuming serial production of Tu-214 at the Kazan Aviation Plant (KAZ, part of Tupolev PJSC of Rostec) makes sense until the formation of the MC-21 family is completed. However, to do this, KAZ will have to solve the issue of automating operations and increasing the number of employees, explained"Perviy Technicheskiy" by Oleg Panteleev, Executive Director of Aviaport agency, aviation expert.

The specialist recalled that KAZ traditionally had production of both civilian aircraft and bombers. The plant simultaneously handled two programs.

Given that there has been no significant change in the size of the aircraft being produced, the main infrastructural capabilities of the enterprise in Kazan will allow producing two products simultaneously, Panteleev noted.

Yes, there are still unresolved tasks. It is necessary to further increase the number of main production workers, to solve the issue of automating operations. Because for the same Tu-214, riveting is very widely used, it is necessary to introduce riveting machines even more extensively than now.

Oleg Panteleev, Executive Director of Aviaport agency

Panteleev clarified that until recently, such equipment was not produced in Russia, now the first samples have already been put into operation. So there are no insurmountable problems from the point of view of production capabilities. Moreover, funds for the technical re-equipment of KAZ were included in the strategic development plans.

The question arises that the size of the Tu-214 and MC-21-310 is the same - up to 210-211 passengers in a single-class configuration. If the MC-21 had several modifications, including with increased thrust engines and the ability to fly 7000 km, then there would be no need for the Tu-214 at all. But since the MC-21 exists only in one dimension, the Tu-214 has the right to exist.

Oleg Panteleev, Executive Director of Aviaport agency

Honored test pilot of the Russian Federation, Hero of Russia Alexander Garnaev explained to"Perviy Technicheskiy" that the Kazan Aviation Plantis not able to resume serial production of the Tu-214. Despite the allocated 40 billion rubles, none of the professionals seriously talk about restoring production at the enterprise, he emphasized.