Traditionally, the Eastern Economic Forum is held in early September in Vladivostok, where important agreements in the field of civil aviation are often signed. At EEF-2024, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Yakovlev PJSC signed framework agreements with airlines Smartavia, IrAero, and Aurora, the unified Far Eastern airline, for the supply of domestically produced aircraft.
The agreement between Yakovlev and Smartavia includes the delivery of 45 MS-21-310 aircraft by 2035. Further negotiations are expected with a leasing company, which will acquire the aircraft for subsequent transfer to Smartavia under a financial lease. A deal was also signed with Aurora for the delivery of five MS-21-310 and two SJ-100 aircraft by 2035. This is in addition to a previous agreement for eight SJ-100 aircraft and an intention to supply 10 more MS-21-310s. UAC and IrAero signed an agreement for the delivery of 21 SJ-100s, seven MS-21-310s, and nine Tu-214 aircraft, all to be provided under financial leasing by 2035.
These framework agreements do not guarantee a firm contract but are aimed at understanding the demand for these aircraft. They allow manufacturers to plan production expansion and modernization, negotiate with suppliers for necessary components, and establish parts pools. In the future, these agreements may lead to firm contracts for the production of an additional 57 MS-21 aircraft.
The Stavropol Radio Plant “Signal,” part of the Radioelectronic Technologies Corporation (KRET), will launch serial production of onboard electronics for the SJ-100 and MS-21 aircraft by the end of the year as part of an import substitution program. The concern will produce modules for the aircraft control system. KRET has already delivered several test kits for trials, with more deliveries expected by the end of 2024.
In mid-September, there were personnel changes at Yakovlev PJSC. Alexander Dolotovsky was appointed deputy general director and director of the MS-21 program. He is expected to bring management standards from his experience with the SSJ100 program to the MS-21, with key tasks including certifying the MS-21 with domestically produced components and starting the MS-21-210 project. The MS-21-210 will be a shortened version of the MS-21, filling the capacity gap between the MS-21-310 and the SJ-100, while ensuring longer-range flights.
The Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) recently conducted tests on the stabilizer caisson of the MS-21, made from domestic polymer composite materials. The tests confirmed the structure’s strength under extreme loads, surpassing the limits of previous imported materials.
On September 23, 2024, a test flight of the MS-21-310 took place, with the aircraft equipped with new Russian-made fuel filters and an integrated system of backup instruments (ISR-21). This system provides crucial flight data and operational parameters to the crew.
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