Russia advances its wide-body Il-96-400M with domestic technology
Russia is advancing the modernization of its wide-body Il-96-400M, aiming to close a gap in its aviation fleet with a homegrown alternative to Western airliners. Vladimir Popov, a respected military pilot and candidate of technical sciences, described the progress on Tsargrad.tv, noting that Russia already has many automatic systems that have equivalents within its own industry, even in areas where foreign designs once set the standard.
Popov highlighted that the country once depended heavily on Western services and components. This reliance shaped engineering choices, design concepts, production methods, and operating rules, sometimes causing a lag in domestic capabilities. Yet he pointed to a clear path forward: by drawing on the strengths of a robust line of fighter jets, Russia can translate that technological potential into civil aviation, expanding and scaling it across passenger and cargo aircraft. He stressed that domestic firms have the capacity to catch up and even surpass foreign platforms in key areas.
In Popov’s view, the Il-96-400M marks a milestone because it was produced using Russian technologies down to the last bolt. This underscores a concerted effort to minimize dependence on outside suppliers and to bolster the country’s aerospace sovereignty.
On November 1, Russia conducted a test flight of the modernized Il-96-400M. The 26-minute mission saw the aircraft climb to about 2,000 meters and accelerate to roughly 390 kilometers per hour. The liner is designed to serve both passengers and cargo, reinforcing the versatile role of a domestically produced wide-body option within Russia’s aviation landscape.
Yuri Slyusar, the chief executive of PJSC United Aircraft Corporation, stated that the Il-96-400M program aims to substitute foreign equivalents. The program originated from a presidential decision, with assembly beginning in Voronezh in 2018. The broader context and implications of these developments are detailed in industry reporting on regional manufacturing and strategic aerospace autonomy.
An analyst who spoke anonymously explained the strategic significance of creating a wide-body passenger aircraft from Russian components. The move is framed as a practical step toward reducing reliance on international supply chains while supporting domestic employment and technical expertise across Russia’s aerospace sectors.