United Aircraft Corporation highlights certification progress and international defence demand

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has outlined progress across several major Russian civil and military aviation programmes during the X Congress of the Russian Engineering Union.

Vadim Badekha, Director General of UAC and member of the Bureau of the Central Council of the Russian Engineering Union, presented updates on aircraft certification progress, defence export demand, and broader industrial initiatives during the congress held at the National Centre “Russia”.

According to Badekha, the past 18 to 24 months have represented a turning point for Russia’s civil aircraft industry, particularly regarding the development of import-substituted aircraft programmes.

CIVIL AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION PROGRESS

UAC stated that all major import-substituted aircraft programmes have now entered flight testing or certification stages, including the Il-114-300, Tu-214, MS-21-310, and Superjet programmes.

The corporation confirmed that flight certification testing for the Tu-214 and Il-114-300 has been successfully completed, with certification already granted for the Tu-214. UAC indicated that type certification for the Il-114-300 is expected in the near future.

Testing activity on the MS-21-310 and Superjet programmes is reportedly continuing according to schedule.

The programmes form part of Russia’s broader effort to reduce reliance on imported aerospace systems and components following international sanctions and supply chain restrictions affecting the country’s aviation sector.

SU-57 EXPORT DEMAND

Badekha also highlighted continuing international demand for Russian combat aircraft, particularly the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter programme.

“The best confirmation of the UAC’s advantage and superiority in the field of combat aviation is the growing demand in the international market,” he stated.

According to UAC, fulfilling Russia’s state defence order remains the corporation’s primary objective, while military-technical cooperation and export deliveries remain strategically important.

INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL INITIATIVES

The corporation also outlined ongoing cooperation with the Russian Engineering Union and regional authorities on legislative, industrial, and workforce development initiatives.

These include aviation industry policy discussions through the State Duma Committee, wage increases for defence industry workers, and the establishment of a Working Group on the Development of Small Aviation.

UAC stated that it is additionally involved in broader socio-economic projects, including urban development planning and educational support programmes.