0:05
The Russian Ministry of Industry and
0:06
Trade known as Minromtor has developed a
0:09
draft government decree stating that the
0:11
deadlines for restoring the
0:13
airworthiness of several civil aircraft,
0:16
primarily the Tupalev 204 and 214, the
0:24
are now being extended until the year
0:29
The original program authorized by the
0:31
government of the Russian Federation on
0:33
the 3rd of October 2022
0:36
expected that no fewer than 12 aircraft
0:39
would be restored between 2022 and 2024.
0:44
A portion of the work is now being moved
0:46
to the 2026 to 2027 period. According to
0:51
the ministry's explanatory note, the
0:53
changes are due to delays in the supply
0:55
of components, the need for import
0:58
substitution, modernization of
1:00
production facilities, and the
1:02
restoration of cooperation between
1:04
industrial sites in Vorones, Ulionovsk,
1:07
Kazan, and other aviation centers.
1:10
The extension is particularly noticeable
1:12
for the Tupalev 204 series. Minromtor
1:17
states that the final two aircraft of
1:19
this type will now be delivered to
1:21
operators between 2026 and 2027.
1:26
The ministry confirms that no additional
1:28
budgetary funds will be required. The
1:31
key causes of delay are the full import
1:34
substitution of multiple components and
1:36
the need for additional testing and
1:38
certification related to design updates
1:41
and new technical solutions.
1:44
The financial structure of the
1:45
restoration effort was formed over
1:47
several stages and may appear to consist
1:50
of separate decisions rather than a
1:52
single unified program. In the year
1:55
2022, the government allocated
1:58
approximately 6.9 billion rubles from
2:01
the reserve fund as a property
2:03
contribution to Rosstec for restoring at
2:06
least seven aircraft during 2022 and
2:11
This subsidy was issued independently
2:13
and the specific list of aircraft it
2:15
covered was not publicly disclosed.
2:19
At the same time, Minpromorg proposed
2:21
another package 15.4 billion rubles for
2:24
restoring and modernizing 11 aircraft,
2:27
eight Tupalev 204 and 214 models, two
2:33
cargo aircraft and one Antinov24100.
2:37
These belong to subsidiaries of the
2:40
United Aircraft Corporation and the
2:42
leasing company Illution Finance.
2:45
They were intended for the operators Red
2:47
Wings and its subsidiaries Skygates,
2:49
Vulga Deepper, and AviaT Uniform.
2:53
However, official documents do not
2:55
clarify whether the 6.9 billion and the
2:58
15.4 billion ruble packages overlap or
3:01
represent a combined inventory of 18
3:06
As a result, the commonly repeated
3:08
figure 18 aircraft for 22.3 billion
3:11
rubles should be considered only an
3:14
analytical assumption and not confirmed
3:18
Rosstec reports that most of the
3:20
aircraft whose restoration began in 2022
3:23
have already been returned to service
3:26
and delivered to customers. Two Illusian
3:31
cargo aircraft were refurbished and
3:33
delivered to Skygates and the passenger
3:36
Tupalev 204 and 214 aircraft were handed
3:40
over to their operators.
3:42
Rosstec adds that the remaining Tupalev
3:44
204 aircraft will be delivered between
3:51
These updates confirm that a significant
3:53
part of the initial workload has been
3:56
completed. Although the tasks that
3:58
remain require more advanced
4:00
technological work, the delays described
4:03
in the original plan stem from both
4:05
logistical and technological issues.
4:09
Several aircraft had reached the end of
4:11
their service life and required major
4:15
Many were in a deeply dismantled
4:17
condition, greatly increasing the scale
4:21
Due to sanctions and the halt of foreign
4:23
component supplies, Russian replacements
4:26
had to be developed, tested, and
4:28
certified, a process that takes
4:30
considerable time. Some contractors
4:33
missed their deadlines, delaying
4:35
component shipments and forcing
4:37
companies to redistribute tasks.
4:40
Furthermore, several modifications
4:42
required amendments to official
4:44
certification, especially for the
4:46
Tupalev 214, meaning additional testing
4:49
and regulatory approval.
4:52
For the airlines waiting for these
4:53
restored aircraft, Red Wings, Vulg
4:55
Neper, and Aviastar T uniform, the
4:58
delays mean that operational plans must
5:01
be revised. The restored aircraft were
5:04
expected to strengthen the national
5:05
fleet and reduce dependence on
5:07
foreignbuilt aircraft.
5:10
The postponed delivery dates may
5:12
temporarily limit capacity and delay
5:16
Minromtor and Rosstec emphasize that all
5:19
restored aircraft will receive upgraded
5:21
systems meeting both customer
5:23
requirements and federal aviation
5:25
standards, ensuring that quality remains
5:28
consistent despite the revised schedule.
5:31
Government statements highlight that the
5:33
program's goal goes beyond restoring
5:38
It also aims to strengthen the
5:40
technological sovereignty of the Russian
5:44
Restoring and modernizing the Tupalev
5:46
204 and 214, the Ilushin 96, and the
5:52
not only returns rare aircraft types to
5:55
active service, but also revitalizes the
5:57
industrial base needed for large-scale
5:59
manufacturing of modern Russian
6:01
airliners such as the domestically
6:08
In essence, the program is an investment
6:11
in rebuilding industrial cooperation and
6:13
the technological capabilities required
6:16
for the long-term development of
6:18
Russia's aviation sector.
6:20
Even with the progress achieved, several
6:23
uncertainties remain. The degree of
6:26
overlap between the 6.9 billion and the
6:29
15.4 billion rubble packages is still
6:32
unknown, making it difficult to
6:34
calculate the program's true scale and
6:38
Although Minromptor states that
6:40
extending the Tupalev 204 timeline will
6:43
not require additional funds, unexpected
6:46
problems related to import substitution
6:48
or certification may appear. Rebuilding
6:52
industrial cooperation will take time
6:54
and continued government oversight.
6:57
Future success will depend on stable
6:59
supply chains and the ability of
7:01
enterprises to respond quickly to
7:03
technological challenges.
7:06
The shift of part of the work to the
7:08
years 2026 and 2027 should not be viewed
7:12
as a failure. Rather, it represents a
7:15
practical adjustment to technological
7:17
and logistical constraints.
7:20
Based on available information, around
7:22
10 aircraft have already been restored
7:25
and delivered. However, ongoing issues
7:28
involving component availability, import
7:31
substitution, and industrial capacity
7:33
show that this effort is not only about
7:35
restoring aircraft. It is also about
7:37
rebuilding the industrial system
7:39
required for future aviation projects.
7:43
If the government and industry succeed
7:45
in stabilizing supply chains, increasing
7:48
domestic component production, and
7:50
streamlining certification procedures
7:53
while maintaining safety, the program
7:55
can reasonably be expected to finish by
8:00
If these conditions are not met, further
8:02
delays and rising costs remain possible,
8:05
which could affect the economic
8:06
viability of the entire effort.
8:12
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