Minsk allowed the purchase of Russian aircraft Sukhoi Superjet New and MS-21

Belarus has reached certain preliminary agreements with Russia on the supply of Russian Sukhoi Superjet New and MS-21 aircraft, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic Alexei Avramenko told reporters.

“There are certain studies with the Russian Federation … they are actively working on Sukhoi Superjet New and MS-21 aircraft. But we will come to a more concrete result when the MS-21 actually appears. There are certain preliminary agreements, we are working on this issue,” leads his words “Prime”.

Former President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko declared at a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, that the republic already produces “up to a thousand” components for SSSJ and MS-21. The country’s factories are ready to produce Russian MiG-25 attack aircraft, he said at the time.

After the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, the EU, the UK and the US imposed sanctions against the Russian aviation industry, including a complete ban on the supply of aircraft and components. Boeing and Airbus aircraft, which form the basis of the Russian fleet, fell under it. Aircraft insurance and maintenance were banned, and foreign leasing companies began to recall aircraft already delivered.

As a response to the current situation, the government of the Russian Federation in June 2022 approved a new program for the development of the aviation industry. It provides for the supply of 1,036 aircraft for the needs of civil aviation until 2030. Of these, 142 SSJ New (“import-substituted” SSJ) and 270 MS-21-310 aircraft.

In 2022, Russian aircraft manufacturers represented by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec) signed an agreement of intent with Aeroflot for the supply of 339 aircraft. According to the document, “Aeroflot» on a lease basis from 2023 to 2030 will receive 210 MS-21 aircraft, 89 SSJ New aircraft and 40 Tu-214 aircraft. It was noted that the first two SSJs will be handed over to the airline next year, and the delivery of the first MS-21 and Tu-214 is scheduled for 2024.

Over the next three years, UAC will supply Aeroflot with 63 domestic aircraft, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov promised at a meeting with the president. In particular, in 2023-2025. the air carrier is to receive 34 short-range SSJ New aircraft, 18 medium-haul MS-21s and 11 Tu-214s. This year, 175 billion rubles will be allocated from the National Welfare Fund for the implementation of the program, Manturov specified.