The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced that the Russia-Belarus Osvey plane is designed to carry 19 passengers, with the information corroborated by TASS. This figure reflects the plane’s intended seating capacity and aligns with the project’s goals for regional transport and multi-purpose operations.
The developers stated that the parties will create and deploy a versatile twin-engine turboprop aircraft capable of accommodating 19 passengers while also performing a broad spectrum of aerial tasks. The design emphasizes flexibility for various missions, including passenger transport, cargo support, and specialized operations in challenging environments.
Officials indicated that the Osvey is being prepared for civil airworthiness certification, ensuring its ability to operate under a range of weather conditions and in less-than-ideal meteorological scenarios. This certification pathway is intended to guarantee reliability and safety in regular service as well as in remote or difficult-to-reach areas where air access is critical.
During a meeting in Moscow on April 15, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin spoke with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko about moving forward with a joint intergovernmental agreement on the co-production of the Osvey light multi-purpose aircraft. The Prime Minister underscored that the Union State seeks modern aircraft across various classes and configurations to support both passenger and cargo transport, highlighting the strategic importance of diversified aviation capabilities for the region.
In related developments, there have been earlier concerns about the quality of Belarusian goods, a topic that has periodically surfaced in public discourse. Stakeholders across industry and government continue to emphasize the need for rigorous manufacturing standards and robust supply chains to ensure that new aviation projects deliver consistent performance and reliability over time. Market observers note that international markets and regional partners will scrutinize these standards closely as part of due diligence and certification processes. For the Osvey initiative, that scrutiny will include independent testing, harmonization with civil aviation norms, and ongoing quality assurance measures aligned with evolving regulatory expectations. The collaborative framework between Russia and Belarus is designed to incorporate these requirements while supporting industrial modernization and technological advancement in both nations. Notes from official briefings indicate a strong appetite for accelerating the timetable for joint production, with emphasis on achieving scalable manufacturing, efficient maintenance networks, and viable after-sales support for operators. As with any new aircraft program, risks exist, but planning efforts focus on mitigating those risks through phased development, transparent oversight, and clear performance targets. The ultimate objective is to deliver a capable, safe, and economical aircraft that can serve diverse missions—from regional passenger routes to mission-critical cargo deliveries—across North Caucasus, Central Asia, and neighboring markets. This approach reflects a broader strategy to bolster air connectivity and resilience while leveraging the strengths of the Russia-Belarus partnership, including shared industrial resources, technical expertise, and aligned regulatory frameworks. The Osvey project remains a significant part of that strategic vision, with ongoing collaborations, assessments, and milestone updates anticipated as work progresses. (Source: TASS; official government briefings)