The sanctions imposed on the Russian aviation industry after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation include a ban on the supply of aircraft to Russia, as well as a ban on flights of Russian airlines to countries participating in the sanctions. The sanctions led to the revocation of insurance certificates and required Russian airlines to return aircraft they had leased, a requirement they never fulfilled. Against the backdrop of a shortage of spare parts, incidents with Russian Airlines’ aircraft have become more frequent.
In response to a request from reporters, Boeing said that in early 2022, Boeing stated that it had entirely adhered to US sanctions and stopped providing parts, maintenance, and technical support to customers in Russia.
Although the US and some European countries have criminal liability for violating sanctions, they rarely apply it in practice. The US arrested two Russians in May on charges of violating export controls. Investigators found that they established a network of intermediaries in the United States and Turkey to provide the components. They are at risk of serving a maximum of 20 years in prison.
However, Russia still managed to purchase original spare parts for Boeing and Airbus aircraft worth 18 billion rubles from February 2022 to March 2023.
The investigative publication “Important Stories” found out that a total of 150 companies from 26 countries participated in the deliveries. At the same time, the share of intermediaries from the United Arab Emirates alone accounts for purchases worth 9 billion rubles. The top three also include companies from China (5 billion) and Turkey (2 billion). Spare parts for the aircraft were also purchased in such “unfriendly” countries as the USA, Great Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania. Official trade relations with these countries have been reduced to a minimum or terminated. The so-called parallel import scheme guided the delivery process. Russians simultaneously own a large number of supplier companies.
However, Russia is also attempting to manufacture its own domestic equivalent parts.
By the end of summer 2024, Russia will launch the production of parts for foreign Boeing and Airbus aircraft. This joint project between “Rosatom” and “Aeroflot” aims to replace some imported components used in the air conditioning, power supply, and lighting systems of these aircraft.
The companies signed the corresponding agreement at the Eastern Economic Forum in September 2023. As noted at the time, this collaboration between the state-owned airline and the state corporation will help ensure the uninterrupted and safe operation of air transportation in Russia.
Interestingly, in some areas, the tested components turned out to be significantly more effective than those previously used in Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Specifically, Rosatom specialists adapted water filters (designed to prevent the release of radioactive contaminants into the air) and air filters (used to protect against radioactive particles and gases), originally produced for nuclear power plants. Aircraft can now use these filters to supply drinking water and air recirculation.
Efforts to substitute consumables and components for foreign-made aircraft, which currently make up a significant 70% of Russia’s commercial passenger fleet, have been actively underway since 2022. It is worth noting that replacing original Boeing and Airbus parts with alternatives is common worldwide. The market for PMA is experiencing significant growth in the United States, Europe, and, particularly, Asia. The value of the PMA market increased from $367 million in 2010 to $29 billion in 2017, with projections of reaching $51 billion by 2026.
Regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration, are required to certify PMAs. PMA parts are also authorized for specific applications, which are often specific to the aircraft’s make, model, and serial number.
In Russia, domestic alternatives are replacing (and, in many cases, have already replaced) electronic equipment such as inverters, power supplies, sensors, heating, lighting components, water, and air filtration elements, as well as composite, metallic, rubber, plastic, and other parts.
Experts emphasize that over time, as Russian-made alternatives prove themselves in operation, they may become in demand abroad, for example, in Iran and other countries. However, the primary objective is to use these parts in the manufacturing of domestic aircraft. By 2030, Russia plans to expand its aircraft fleet to 1,700 (currently at 1,300) while simultaneously reducing the share of foreign aircraft to around 20%.