The main problem with the operation of Russian Superjet 100 aircraft after installing domestic PD-8 engines instead of SaM146 may not be the power plants at all, but dozens of other imported components. This opinion was expressed by aviation expert and former Airbus auditor Andrey Patrakov.
He reminded that the SaM146 engine is just one of the bottlenecks. As their service life expires, more and more imported systems will require replacement, and their supplies to Russia remain extremely difficult.
The problem with the SSJ-100 is far from being only about engines. As their service life expires, more and more foreign components will become a critical limitation.
Patrakov pointed out that the original Superjet-100 consisted of more than 80% foreign components, and the global fleet of these aircraft is small.
Unlike the mass-produced Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, for which there is a wide network of alternative spare parts manufacturers, the SSJ-100 practically lacks such an ecosystem.
According to preliminary estimates, the discussed re-engining program for about 50 aircraft could cost approximately 115 billion rubles, or about 2.3 billion rubles per aircraft.