Russia has made a major step toward the establishment of the MC-21 as the foundation of its domestic passenger fleet by signing a contract with Aeroflot for the purchase of 90 MC-21-310 aircraft from Rostec companies. The agreement, which was executed in Moscow on September 18, 2026, includes not only aircraft deliveries but also leasing, pilot and technical training, flight simulators, and 22 years of after-sales technical support.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov, and Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin were in attendance at the ceremony. Aeroflot, Aviakapital-Service, and United Engine Corporation (UEC) executed the agreement with Rostec.
The 90 aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2029 and 2032 in accordance with the agreement. The transaction is significantly more extensive and complex than a typical aircraft acquisition due to its size and structure. The objective is to establish a sustainable operating ecosystem that centers on the MC-21, integrating aircraft production with leasing, training, maintenance, and technical support.
90 Aircraft, Plus 18 Already on Order
The new contract must also be viewed alongside Aeroflot’s earlier commitments. In 2023, Aeroflot and Rostec’s Aviakapital-Service executed leasing agreements for MC-21 aircraft as part of a much larger program that encompassed 339 aircraft for the Aeroflot Group. Aeroflot received six of the 18 MC-21-310 aircraft that were initially allocated, while Rossiya Airlines received 12.
Aeroflot is slated to receive the first 18 MC-21s in 2027 and 2028, as stipulated in the new agreement. The new 90-aircraft contract commences deliveries in 2029, bringing the total number of MC-21 aircraft covered by the long-term technical-support arrangement to 108. The support program will be in effect for 22 years following the delivery.
The agreement also encompasses maintenance software, training for pilots and maintenance personnel, and other components of the aircraft’s after-sales infrastructure, in addition to full-flight and procedural simulators.
This is significant because the introduction of a new commercial aircraft is not merely a matter of receiving the airframe. The following are essential components of an airline: trained personnel, spare parts, maintenance capability, diagnostic systems, engineering personnel, and dependable technical support. Aeroflot and the manufacturers are working to put in place the operating infrastructure concurrently with the aircraft fleet by implementing these requirements into the contract.
MC-21 Moves Closer to Series Production
The timing of the contract comes as the MC-21 enters an important phase in its development.
The first fully import-substituted serial-production MC-21-310 completed its maiden flight in August 2026 from the Irkutsk aircraft plant. The aircraft was built using production technologies that were designed for series production and is powered by the Russian PD-14 engine. Rostec stated that the flight served as evidence that the production chain was prepared to transition to mass production, despite the ongoing certification testing.
The MC-21-310 is a new-generation medium-haul aircraft that is presently undergoing certification. It is capable of transporting between 163 and 211 passengers. These specifications were provided by UAC. Its published specifications encompass a cruise speed of Mach 0.82 and a maximum range of up to 3,830 kilometers in a two-class configuration.
The aircraft is specifically designed to target the most critical segment of the commercial aviation market in Russia: medium-haul routes that connect the country’s main cities and regional centers.
The Post-2022 MC-21 Is a Different Aircraft
The current MC-21-310 is also the outcome of a major redesign of the aircraft’s supply chain in response to the collapse of cooperation with Western suppliers after 2022.
The engine was among the approximately 80 systems and components that were developed domestically for the aircraft, according to Rostec. The Russian PD-14 is not just an alternative engine for the MC-21; it is a component of a more comprehensive initiative to develop an aircraft that can be primarily produced and supported by domestic industrial capabilities.
This transition has necessitated substantial industrial activity throughout the aerospace sector of Russia. For instance, UEC has maintained its commitment to increasing the manufacturing capacity of components used in the PD-14 and other Russian aircraft engines. In September 2026, Rostec inaugurated a new production and technology center in Moscow that spans over 10,000 square meters and is outfitted with approximately 230 high-tech machines and installations.
Aeroflot Becomes the Key Launch Operator
Aeroflot’s role in the programme gives the MC-21 a particularly important launch customer inside Russia.
The airline is preparing pilots, cabin personnel, and engineers for the new aircraft and aims to optimize its commercial use. In turn, UAC and the other suppliers are expected to ensure technical availability, repairs, and long-term maintenance.
This establishes a direct relationship between the manufacturer and the operator, which could potentially impact the rate at which operational experience accumulates once the aircraft is placed into regular service.
The MC-21 also signifies the introduction of a new aircraft type into a fleet that has historically been significantly reliant on Western-built aircraft for Aeroflot. The airline will therefore need to develop new training, maintenance, and operational procedures while simultaneously integrating the aircraft into its existing network.
A Test for Russia’s Civil Aviation Ambitions
Ultimately, the 90-aircraft order is a test of Russia’s ability to transition the MC-21 from an engineering and certification program to sustained commercial production.
UAC has previously recognized the MC-21 and SJ-100 as critical products for bolstering its civil aircraft business. The corporation has also identified a considerable order portfolio as a critical factor in the maintenance of production at its manufacturing facilities.
The new Aeroflot contract establishes a clear client requirement that will continue into the early 2030s. This provides manufacturers with a longer planning horizon for the development of their workforce, supplier capacity, and production.
The initial aircraft to be delivered under the new order are still several years away. The MC-21 must first conclude certification, establish reliable series production, and demonstrate that its domestic supply chain can support airline operations at scale before it can be deployed.
However, the agreement of September 2026 represents a significant change. The MC-21 is no longer exclusively being discussed as a potential future Russian airliner. The focus is now transitioning to the more challenging question: can Russia transform the MC-21 into a dependable mass-produced commercial aircraft and maintain it throughout its service life, with 108 aircraft currently covered by Aeroflot’s long-term program and the first serial aircraft already in flight?