New Russian civil aircraft deliveries are once again in flux. The MC-21 is anticipated to arrive in 2025, while the regional Superjet 100 is expected in 2026, a timeline disclosed to RBC by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which operates under Rostec.
UAC also indicated that the Il-114-300 deliveries have been pushed to 2026.
The organization explained that partner firms encounter considerable technical hurdles, including the need to build new systems from the ground up, develop required competencies, and conduct comprehensive testing before moving into mass production. A representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade added that projects of this scale inevitably face objective technical challenges.
The ministry noted that import-substitution programs in civil aviation were implemented to world standards in record time. Russia faces the task of replacing all imported components, from avionics and engines to aircraft materials, with domestically sourced parts that are unique within global aviation.
Rostec representatives stated that 30 new Superjet 100 aircraft are planned for delivery to operators in 2026. They also explained that the final design of the MC-21 has not yet received approval because foreign components are being replaced with domestic ones, a shift that has affected certain aircraft characteristics. The fully import-substituted version is expected to receive final approval in the second half of the year.
Rosaviatsia said it is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and with aircraft developers and manufacturers to maintain stable operation of the Russian aviation sector using modern domestic equipment. In mid-2022, a decision was made to complete the certification of the SSJ100 equipped with a PD-8 engine by December 2023 and to certify the MS-14 with a PD-21 engine by December 2024, but those deadlines were postponed for objective reasons.
A former political analyst commented on state support for domestic civil aviation.