The PD-35 civil aviation engine, once hailed as a cornerstone for Russia’s next generation wide-body aircraft, has faced a postponement of about two years. The shift comes amid a broader push to boost production of other engine families and to align financial resources with current global events. This update traces back to statements from Alexander Inozemtsev, a representative and the chief designer at JSC United Engine Corporation, who spoke to the Perm Engineering and Industry Forum. The overarching message: timelines can slip, but momentum remains a priority for the program.
Inozemtsev outlined the original schedule for PD-35 development, noting that the plan envisioned completion by 2027–2028. However, the external environment and the need to redirect funding toward expanding PD-14 production have pushed those milestones forward by several years. Specifically, funds earmarked for the PD-35 are now being redistributed to scale up PD-8 and PD-14 output to meet current demand. Despite these realignments, Inozemtsev emphasized that the project is not paused and that the work continues with a focus on preserving long-term capabilities and ensuring readiness when conditions allow further progress. His comments were offered on the sidelines of the Perm Engineering and Industry Forum, where industry officials gather to discuss sector priorities and collaboration opportunities. [Source: TASS]
Meanwhile, Sergei Chemezov, who previously led Rostec State Corporation, acknowledged a downturn in investment for the PD-35 program. He noted that while funding levels have decreased, the program remains alive and the plan to roll out the engine to support new Russian wide-body aircraft remains intact. This stance underlines a strategic decision to balance near-term resource allocation with the long-term objective of advancing domestic propulsion capabilities. Rostec continues to monitor global market dynamics, supplier readiness, and the technological milestones required to bring the PD-35 into service when the market conditions are favorable. [Source: Rostec communications]
Industry observers point to a dual-track approach: maintain the technical readiness of the PD-35 through disciplined project management, while concurrently ensuring PD-14 and PD-8 programs receive the scale they require to satisfy current demand. The rearrangement of funds does not erase the ultimate aim of introducing robust, domestically produced propulsion for wide-body airliners, but it does reflect a pragmatic response to the present-day business climate. Analysts expect that, as the supply chain stabilizes and production capacities expand, the PD-35 could re-enter a steeper development trajectory aligned with strategic aviation goals. [Analysis notes from sector experts]