Russia plans to increase production of Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft and introduce a new modernised passenger cabin. While the current programme envisages producing at least ten airplanes per year from 2025, the authorities aim to double that number by 2027.
According to the Russian news agency TASS, Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the government, again assured that the country «has every opportunity to boost domestic aircraft production and reduce dependence on imports».
See also: Rostec Aims to Produce 10 Tu-214 Aircraft Annually from 2025, Countering Western Sanctions
Russia is committed to Tupolev Tu-214 production
Earlier, Tupolev Director General Vadim Korolev had stated that demand for Tu-214 aircraft already amounted to «150 units by 2032». According to Korolev, the company has firm contracts for 20 aircraft, commitments for another 67 and current customer orders for 61 airplanes.
In this context, Russia wants to accelerate the pace of Tu-214 production to meet demand and reduce dependence on foreign components. To this end, some 41.8 billion roubles will initially be invested from a state fund. This figure would then rise to 83 billion, although it would not be enough to cover the full costs.
The rest of the money would come from loans provided by the state corporation Rostec, under whose supervision United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and its subsidiary Tupolev are located.
Sanctions and the promotion of local industry
The need to increase series production of the Tu-214 arose as a result of the sanctions imposed on Russia, the suspension of supplies of Western-made aircraft, and the refusal of the United States and European countries to provide technical maintenance and supply components.
In response, the national administration began to implement a series of measures to promote local industry. It also emphasised the need to reduce dependence on foreign inputs as much as possible. Reducing the import of components and encouraging domestic manufacturers’ own activity is key to their intentions.
Until recently, the Tu-214 was produced in small quantities and used mostly in regional services. However, Aeroflot is set to become one of its main customers in the near future: the flag carrier expects to take delivery of eleven aircraft in the next two years and to have forty in service by the end of the decade.
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