Russia advances testing on TVRS-44, its new bid to replace the Antonov An-124

Krasnoyarsk-based Russian airline KrasAvia has signed a letter of intent with the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) for the purchase of twenty TVRS-44. In addition, it will assist with the test programme for the type, a regional turboprop under development also known as «Ladoga».

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Russia seeks to replace Antonov An-24

Under the agreement, the airline would take delivery of the airplanes between 2026 and 2030 on a leasing basis. The TVRS-44, a twin-engine aircraft with a capacity of forty to fifty passengers, is designed to replace the Antonov An-24.

According to local media reports, KrasAvia and UZGA will cooperate on performance testing of a third prototype of the aircraft in extreme cold conditions in Siberia and Russia’s Arctic region. «Controlled operation will speed up the completion of flight certification tests and will contribute to the successful commissioning of serial production», said Sergei Fedorov, General Director of UZGA.

A comprehensive aviation development plan until 2030

By official decree number 1693 of 25 June 2022, the Russian government approved a comprehensive air transport development programme until 2030. The administration states that «in the face of external constraints, the strategic goal of the sector will be an accelerated transition to national equipment».

According to Russia, «more than one thousand Russian aircraft are expected to join the fleets of domestic airlines» by the end of the decade. These include more than 140 Superjet 100s, 270 Irkut MS-21-310s, 70 Ilyushin IL-114-300s and Tupolev Tu-214s. They also plan to supply a large number of TVRS-44 Ladoga, L-410 Turbolet and Baikal LMS-901 aircraft.

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See also: Sanctions: Russia announces comprehensive aviation development plan until 2030