The contract with PJSC Irkut, the producer of aviation equipment, lays out plans for tire production to be organized at facilities located in the Altai region. This topic was examined during a meeting that brought together representatives from Nortek, YaShZ Avia, Barnaul Plant ATI, and Barnaul RTI. The discussion clarified the potential to develop import-substitute products through local manufacturing channels, aiming to strengthen domestic supply and reduce reliance on foreign components.
At present, Nortek Altai Tire Plant stands as Russia’s sole aircraft tire manufacturer. The company has faced intensified sanctions pressure in recent times, which has led to a surge in demand for its products. The plant manufactures tires not only for medium-haul aircraft but also for light and heavy commercial vehicles, agricultural and industrial machinery, and all-terrain vehicles. This diversification underscores a strategic shift to bolster domestic aviation and related industries amid global restrictions.
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MS-21, or Main Aircraft of the Twenty-first Century, represents a Russian narrow-body, medium-haul passenger aircraft developed by the Irkut Corporation in collaboration with the Yakovlev Design Bureau, a unit of the same group. The MS-21 family includes two variants: the MS-21-200, designed to accommodate 132 to 165 passengers, and the MS-21-300, capable of carrying 163 to 211 passengers. A standout feature is the wing construction that leverages Russian-made composite materials, reflecting a push toward domestically sourced critical components.
The aircraft was first showcased at the MAKS air show in September 2019, and the transition to serial production experienced several postponements for multiple reasons. The first flight of the airliner occurred at the end of December 2021, marking a milestone for the domestic aviation industry.
Facing barriers in sourcing parts from foreign suppliers, several foreign manufacturers declined to provide components even under prepaid arrangements. As a result, efforts intensified to identify suitable domestic substitutes. In addition to tires, the program seeks to secure domestic options for propulsion systems as well. Certification work for the imported variant continues, supporting parallel development of both domestic and foreign partnerships while ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards.
More recently, statements from the head of Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, signaled that mass production of an all-Russian MS-21 version is anticipated to commence in 2024, aligning with government objectives to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.