UAC considering French engines' replacement with Russian ones in SSJ-100 fleet

KUBINKA, Moscow region. Aug 15 (Interfax) - United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, MOEX: UNAC) is eyeing a program, which will replace the Russian-French SaM-146 engines of the existent fleet of Sukhoi Superjet 100 passenger jetliners with the Russian-made PD-8 engines, UAC General Director Yury Slyusar said.

"Of course, our primary objective is to maximize the period of [SSJ100] airworthiness. The available system of Superjet after-sale service allows us to maintain [the airworthiness]," Slyusar told reporters on the sidelines of the Army 2022 forum on Monday.

"There is also an option of re-motorization with new engines, and we are working on it: we are communicating with airlines and leasing companies. Clearly, this means extra costs that need to be amortized," he said.