The governor of Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory, Mikhail Degtyarev, told an interview with TASS that the Sukhoi Superjet 100 program remains on track amid ongoing sanctions pressures. He emphasized that production is advancing as planned and that the strategic aim is to keep the project moving forward despite external constraints. Degtyarev’s comments reflect a broader confidence within regional administrations that industrial initiatives can persevere through sanctions, leveraging domestic capabilities and international partnerships where possible.
Degtyarev noted that by the year’s end there are expectations to fully localize and domestically integrate portions of the aircraft, including sections of the fuselage and a significant share of the avionics. This focus on import substitution and domestic supply chains is presented as essential to maintaining continuity in production and ensuring that critical components meet the program’s specifications under current geopolitical conditions.
In discussing propulsion and timelines, Degtyarev stated that the PD-8 engine is anticipated to be ready for inclusion in the program in 2023. He stressed that practical demonstrations and flight tests are driven by hands-on work on the factory floor, and that historical patterns show developmental timelines can be affected by supplier readiness and regulatory approvals. Degtyarev framed the process as a continuation of a disciplined engineering tradition, noting that both foreign and domestic designers have faced delays in the past, a reality he described as part of the industry’s enduring rhythm rather than a setback unique to any single country.
Describing his own background, Degtyarev explained that he trained as an aircraft engine engineer and possesses a technical grounding that informs his understanding of the program’s complexities. His comment underscores the importance of technical literacy at the highest levels of regional governance when guiding aerospace initiatives through turbulent periods and around sanctions-related hurdles.
Looking ahead, the governor expressed guarded optimism about the production cadence. He suggested the plant could assemble between 20 and 40 aircraft annually starting in 2024, a target that depends on steady supply chains, skilled labor, and regulatory approvals. His question about the practicalities of the production process—how to “cook the pastries” in a constrained environment—conveys a pragmatic, problem-solving mindset. It signals a qualitative shift toward self-reliance and process optimization, with an emphasis on meeting domestic demand while maintaining safety and performance standards.
Denis Manturov, who previously led Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, commented on the same program, noting that the PD-8-engined Sukhoi Superjet 100 could receive certification by the end of 2023. His perspective adds a high-level regulatory dimension to the ongoing assessment of the aircraft, reinforcing the notion that technical readiness must coincide with certification processes to advance from demonstration to operational service. The convergence of engineering milestones and certification timelines is presented as crucial to sustaining momentum in a program sensitive to geopolitical pressures.