Russia reveals first imported SJ-100 flight under import substitution program
A video released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia shows the first imported SJ-100 aircraft on a test flight, underscoring progress in domestic production goals. The announcement was shared through the ministry’s official Telegram channel, highlighting the role of this milestone in the broader localization effort.
The ministry outlined that factory personnel would meet the SJ-100 upon arrival, while test pilots would proceed with additional evaluations to confirm reliability and performance ahead of any potential commercial operations. This phased approach is designed to validate capabilities under real-world conditions and ensure readiness for future service options.
According to the ministry’s press service, the Superjet, equipped with systems produced domestically, stayed airborne for 54 minutes. The flight climbed to roughly 3,000 meters and maintained speeds near 343 kilometers per hour, offering data on handling and system integration during flight tests.
The flight was conducted by a team of test professionals, including Leonid Chikunov and Dmitry Demenev, with Denis Velizhanin acting as a test engineer. Their task was to assess handling characteristics, verify subsystem performance, and evaluate how the aircraft integrates its Russian-made components in real flight scenarios.
Officials described this SJ-100 as a concrete outcome of the import substitution program aimed at localizing critical systems and parts. In total, around 40 systems and units have been replaced with domestically produced equivalents, reflecting a strategic move to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.
Earlier statements from Irkut indicated no issues with the navigation system on the SSJ-100. The ministry noted that Avia Briefing remains the only certified supplier of navigation databases for the SSJ 100, emphasizing the importance of supply chain reliability in sustaining ongoing development and operational readiness.
In a broader context, Russia has discussed ambitious space and aviation technology initiatives, linking advances in domestic aviation to a wider goal of strengthening control over strategic sectors. This discourse frames the SJ-100 project as part of a national effort to boost critical infrastructure, advance industrial self-reliance, and support broader strategic capabilities in aerospace.