The idea of restoring airworthiness to hundreds of An-2 biplanes in Russia hits the problem of the lack of a sufficient number of domestic turboprop engines in the 900–1000 hp power range. The project was assigned to the Omsk-based ODK-Saturn, from where no news about the development has been received.
The authors of the "Aviation of Russia" portal recalled that the base piston unit ASh-62IR of the "kukuruznik" uses scarce and expensive aviation gasoline, which significantly reduces the profitable part of the aircraft's operation.
The TVD-10B turboprop engine could be suitable as an alternative. In February 2025, the director of SibNIA, Vladimir Barsuk, noted that a prototype of the aircraft is planned to be obtained by the summer of 2025. But since then, not even rumors about its testing have appeared.
The TVD-10B is an engine with a power of about 960 hp. Unlike completely new developments, this engine has a clear technological base and can be considered a faster path to deploying remotorization.
Earlier, SibNIA proposed restoring An-2s that are idle in storage. The developer estimated the remotorization potential at approximately 700 airframes, but where to get 700 engines for them, not counting replacements, is unknown.