Russia to allocate 27.6 bln rubles for 'maximum import substitution' of SJ-100 aircraft in 2025-2027

MOSCOW. Feb 26 (Interfax) - Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry has announced a competition to carry out R&D works for certification of the Superjet 100 aircraft "in a modification with maximum import substitution of components and systems," according to materials on the government procurement website.

Other R&D goals include improving operational and takeoff and landing features, improving reliability and assigned service life, expanding transport capabilities and geography of operation, as well as "implementing new functions and options in accordance with the requirements of aviation authorities and operators."

The work must be completed by the end of 2027. The highest cost is estimated at 27.6 billion rubles. The results of the competition will be announced on March 18.

Serial production of the SJ-100 with foreign components ceased in 2022 after sanctions had been imposed against Russia owing to the situation in Ukraine. The start of deliveries of the import-substituted version of the aircraft, equipped with Russian PD-8 engines and other domestically developed systems, is expected in 2026, as the relevant ministries have said. However, the deadlines have previously been postponed, namely Aeroflot Group had expected the first two SJ-100s at the end of 2023.

The start of test flights of the import-substituting SJ-100 with PD-8 is expected in February-March of this year, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said. Over 20 flights have already been completed in the flight laboratory, and "the engine demonstrates all the features outlined in the design," he said.

The May edition of the Comprehensive Program to Develop the Aviation Industry indicates that 30 SJ-100s should be produced in 2026, and a total of 142 aircraft of this type by 2030. Meantime, the plans to manufacture passenger aircraft in Russia will be revised in 2025, closer to certification work being completed, as First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said in September.