First Import-Substituted Tu-214 Flies to Minsk

As part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Program for the Development of Civil Aviation until 2030, the Kazan Aviation Plant (KAZ) made the first flight of the new, fully import-substituted Tu-214 passenger aircraft with tail number RA-64536. Although this aircraft became the first "truly new" aircraft in the series and marks the resumption of serial production of the Tu-214, it will not go into commercial operation — the aircraft will be transferred to the Sogaz insurance holding as a business jet. Shortly after takeoff, the plane went to Minsk for repainting.

Aircraft RA-64536, according to preliminary data, is the first version of the Tu-214, fully assembled from domestic components. As part of the import substitution program, it was planned to replace about 45 foreign systems, including avionics, radars, warning systems, electrical equipment and ground ladders. The development of these solutions was carried out on a special flying laboratory, which first took to the air in November 2024.

Initially, RA-64536 was intended for the Tatarstan airline "UVT Aero", which ordered four Tu-214s in 2022. However, at the end of 2023, the first aircraft was transferred to another customer — without official explanation.

The next Tu-214, which is being built at KAZ, is intended for the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, and after that — for the special flight unit "Rossiya". Thus, despite the resumption of serial production, civil airlines are still left out of the program, which is mainly focused on state structures.

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