The Ministry of Defense is considering the option of resuming work on the light transport aircraft TVRS-44 "Ladoga" after the "Ural Civil Aviation Plant" abandoned further development of the project. This was stated by Major General of Aviation, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation Vladimir Popov.
For the military, "Ladoga" can be used as a liaison aircraft, an ambulance aircraft, or a transport for valuable cargo. We always had such small aircraft in service. This role was performed by small An-2s, Yak-12s, An-14 "Bee," An-28s. And larger aircraft: An-26, for example. They were flown by the same pilots who flew military Su-24s, Su-27s.
The expert emphasized that today any aircraft is in demand — from the legendary An-2 to modern light machines. "Ladoga," according to him, is capable of occupying a niche in the segment of import-substituted dual-purpose aircraft: it will be suitable for both civil aviation and for solving military tasks — transportation of urgent cargo, medical evacuation, communication with remote garrisons.
Eight years of attempts to launch "Ladoga" at UZGA facilities yielded no results: since 2018, the project has stalled due to the lack of a clear political decision and systemic support for small aviation. The general pointed out that the industry often operates on the principle of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," and without a directive impulse from above, processes move slowly.
The project is viable, but its resuscitation requires not technical refinement, but a strong-willed decision at the state level. Without this, even a machine in demand by the army and the civilian sector risks remaining on the drawing board, the general concluded.
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