The Russian-Belarusian LMS-192 “Osvey” light multi-purpose aircraft is once again progressing, as Moscow and Minsk have implemented a new timetable for the long-standing project. The partners verified that development is ongoing and that the first prototype is expected to be completed in 2027, with flight testing to follow, following discussions between Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on August 25, 2026. Certification is now expected to be completed by the end of 2029, after which the aircraft is intended to enter series production.
The announcement is significant because the LMS-192 is designed to enter a market that is well-known to Russia and the former Soviet Union: the market for twin-engine turboprop aircraft that are relatively small, rugged, and capable of connecting regional and local destinations. In practical terms, “Osvey” is being developed as a new-generation alternative to the Czech L-410, which for decades functioned as a type of flying minibus on short regional routes.
A joint Russian-Belarusian aircraft
The project is being developed jointly by Russia’s Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) and Belarus’s 558th Aircraft Repair Plant in Baranovichi. The intergovernmental agreement, which covers the development and organization of serial production, was signed in April 2024 as part of a broader Russian-Belarusian partnership in the fields of aircraft manufacturing and technological sovereignty.
The “Osvey” program would significantly expand the 558th plant’s involvement in aircraft manufacturing, as it has historically been associated with the repair and modernization of aviation equipment. Plans for new facilities at Baranovichi have been included in the production preparations.
The aircraft is also designed to serve a broader range of purposes than just civilian airlines. UZGA has characterized the LMS-192 as a platform for state aviation in Belarus and Russia, as well as regional and local aviation. According to reports, the most recent modifications to the program are indicative of the additional requirements of potential consumers, such as government and military operators. This has resulted in modifications to the development schedule and an increase in projected costs.
Why the L-410 remains important
The selection of the L-410 as the aircraft’s benchmark is not an accident. The twin-engine turboprop, which was developed in the Czech Republic, has a remarkable history in the region. Throughout the aircraft’s lifespan, more than 1,200 L-410s of various types have been manufactured, and the type has been deployed in over 60 countries.
Russia also has a particularly close connection with the aircraft. After Aircraft Industries and UZGA were acquired by the Russian Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company in the 2010s, UZGA was engaged in the production of L-410 aircraft. During that time, approximately 130 L-410 UVP-E20 and L-410NG aircraft were manufactured in the Czech Republic and Russia. However, in 2022, the Czech aircraft manufacturer was sold to European owners due to the unsustainable nature of the previous ownership structure as a result of the sanctions.
Based on open-source fleet information, there were dozens of L-410 aircraft in Russian service in 2025, including those operated by the Aerospace Forces and civilian organizations. This provides the LMS-192 with a potential basis for common operational experience and a replacement market.
The Russian engine at the heart of “Osvey”
One of the most important differences between the LMS-192 and the L-410 is what sits under the wings. The “Osvey” is being developed in conjunction with the Russian VK-800S1 turboprop, which is capable of producing 877 horsepower during takeoff. The engine also boasts a maximum-continuous-power mode that can reach 900 horsepower when one engine is inoperative, which is a critical feature for a twin-engine aircraft that is designed to operate regional routes.
The aircraft is also expected to use new Russian-developed six-blade AV-410 propellers. The VK-800 family is currently being developed for a variety of Russian aircraft programs, such as the LMS-901 “Baikal” and UTS-800. This development has the potential to establish a more extensive production and maintenance ecosystem that revolves around the engine.
UZGA has also suggested that the VK-800 could be employed to re-engine certain L-410 aircraft that are currently in operation in Russia. This establishes an interesting bridge between the outdated Czech-designed fleet and the new Russian-Belarusian aircraft, rather than necessitating that all operators immediately replace their existing aircraft.
A different design philosophy
Although the LMS-192 and L-410 occupy essentially the same passenger category, they are not simply copies of one another. The “Osvey” is being developed as a braced high-wing aircraft, while the L-410 uses a cantilever high-wing configuration.
Another major difference is the landing gear. The L-410 is equipped with retractable landing gear, whereas the LMS-192 is designed with fixed landing gear. In exchange for simplicity, reduced maintenance requirements, and increased viability for operations from less-developed airfields and unprepared surfaces, the decision sacrifices some aerodynamic efficiency.
This philosophy is especially relevant to Russia and Belarus, where regional aircraft may be required to operate from smaller airports and airstrips in challenging seasonal conditions. The aircraft is therefore being designed around operational practicality rather than simply maximising cruise performance.
What the LMS-192 is expected to deliver
Earlier published design figures envisaged a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 6.4 tonnes, a cruise or maximum-speed range of roughly 388–440 km/h, a range of up to 1,200–1,300 km and a service ceiling of around 8,200 metres. The aircraft is designed to accommodate a substantial cargo load or up to 19 passengers. According to more recent reports, the maximum cargo capacity is 1.8 tons.
It is imperative that the avionics and other onboard systems are produced domestically, as this will contribute to the project’s main objective of decreasing reliance on foreign components.
2027 becomes the critical year
The latest announcement changes the story from an aircraft repeatedly discussed as a future replacement for the L-410 into a programme with a clearer near-term milestone. Manturov stated that the first prototype is expected to be available in 2027, at which time flight testing is expected to start. Certification is anticipated to be finalized by the conclusion of 2029. Russia and Belarus are also exploring markets beyond their own borders; they have indicated that they are contemplating exports to third countries.
For the LMS-192, therefore, the real test begins not with the announcement but with the prototype. The “Osvey” has the potential to become one of the most important new aircraft in the 19-seat regional category for the Russian and Belarusian markets if the 2027 aircraft completes flight testing on schedule and the VK-800S1, avionics, and airframe mature in tandem. It would also be a strategically significant project: not merely another replacement for the aging L-410 fleet, but an attempt to reestablish an entire domestic supply chain around a new generation of regional aircraft.