 |
| Image: Russia Test-Flies Fully Domestic MC-21 Jet Prototype |
Moscow, October 29 - In a landmark moment for Russia's aviation sector, the second prototype of the MC-21 medium-haul passenger jet, fully equipped with domestic components, soared into the skies on October 28, 2025, from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. This MC-21 test flight, a pivotal step in Russia's import substitution program, underscores the nation's push toward self-reliance amid Western sanctions that have choked off access to foreign parts like Pratt & Whitney engines and imported avionics. Operated by Yakovlev under the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the aircraft, serial number 73057, lifted off for a one-hour maiden voyage, reaching speeds of 500 km/h and altitudes of 3,500 meters. Test pilot Andrei Voropaev confirmed all systems performed flawlessly, validating years of rigorous engineering to replace foreign elements with homegrown alternatives.
The MC-21 domestic version, specifically the MC-21-310 variant, represents a triumph of Russian aerospace innovation, featuring the indigenous PD-14 turbofan engines from Aviadvigatel, domestically produced composite wings, and a suite of Russian avionics including the JetOS operating system. Unlike earlier prototypes that blended imported and local parts, this fully "Russified" jet eliminates vulnerabilities in the supply chain, ensuring production continuity despite geopolitical tensions. UAC CEO Vadim Badekha hailed the flight as a "tremendous achievement," crediting the collaborative efforts of Rostec's engineers who overhauled the aircraft's internal systems on the Irkutsk assembly lines. This second prototype joins the first, which debuted in April 2025, to accelerate certification testing at the Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky.
Russia's MC-21 jet development, launched over a decade ago as an international collaboration, pivoted dramatically post-2022 sanctions, transforming the project into a cornerstone of national industrial resilience. Originally designed to seat up to 211 passengers with a range of 6,000 kilometers, the aircraft now boasts aerodynamic efficiency comparable to its Western rivals like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, while prioritizing fuel efficiency and reduced emissions through the PD-14's advanced 16-key technologies. The import substitution strategy has not only boosted domestic suppliers but also positioned the MC-21 as a viable replacement for aging foreign fleets in Russian airlines' arsenals, where maintenance challenges have escalated costs.
Looking ahead, the successful MC-21 prototype flight paves the way for serial production by 2027, with Aeroflot slated to receive the initial batch of 18 aircraft following certification completion in late 2026, as announced by Rostec head Sergei Chemezov. This milestone bolsters Russia's aviation industry, fostering economic growth through job creation and export potential to BRICS partners. As the MC-21 program advances, it symbolizes a broader narrative of technological sovereignty, proving that even under pressure, Russian ingenuity can deliver world-class jets ready to compete on the global stage.
