The MC-21 program in Russia is currently in a critical phase, as the country’s new medium-haul passenger aircraft is in the process of advancing toward certification, serial production, and a prospective expansion into the Indian market. The MC-21-310, powered by the Russian PD-14 engine, has already entered mass-production assembly at the Irkutsk Aircraft Plant, while more than half of its certification flight-test program has now been completed.
The development takes place at a critical juncture for the civilian aviation industry in Russia. Moscow is currently striving to establish a domestic production system that is capable of producing modern passenger aircraft in sizeable quantities, following years of delays, sanctions, and the substitution of Western components. Simultaneously, Russia is expanding its export and industrial partnerships beyond its domestic airlines, with India emerging as a potential major player.
Certification Crosses the Halfway Mark
In August, the Deputy Industry and Trade Minister of Russia, Gennady Abramenkov, announced that approximately half of the MC-21’s certification flight-test program had been completed. Rostec too subsequently announced that the aircraft had successfully completed more than half of the certification flight program.
It is expected that the program will achieve certification in 2027. In June, Vitaly Naryshkin, the principal designer of the MC-21, stated that the objective was to achieve certification by June 2027. Out of a planned 232 certification flights, two aircraft had completed 200 flights, including 101 certification flights, at that juncture.
That progress is taking place alongside production rather than before it. While certification testing is ongoing, Russia has intentionally commenced the introduction of mass-production technologies to enable the manufacturer to prepare the assembly line and production processes prior to the aircraft’s final certification.
First Production Aircraft Already Flying
The inaugural flight of the Irkutsk Aircraft Plant’s MC-21-310, which was built using mass-production technologies, has already been concluded. The aircraft flew for one hour and 23 minutes, reaching 6,000 metres and speeds of up to 600 km/h. The stability, controllability, and domestically produced onboard systems were evaluated by the test crews.
According to Rostec, the successful flight served as evidence that the production chains necessary for the initial 18 aircraft batch were prepared. This is significant because the goal is to establish a replicable production system that can significantly increase output in the future.
Aeroflot Will Be the First Major Customer
The first production plan is centered on Aeroflot. The airline’s inaugural contract includes 18 MC-21 aircraft, with the first eight aircraft expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2027 and the remaining ten in 2028. Sergei Alexandrovsky, the CEO of Aeroflot, stated that the airline anticipates receiving an additional 90 aircraft under a second contract between 2029 and 2032.
This deal provides the Russian manufacturer with a considerable initial production base. In addition, Aeroflot intends to commence the training of pilots, cabin crew, and engineers for the aircraft in 2027. The initial aircraft will be deployed on relatively short routes, such as Moscow–St. Petersburg and Moscow–Nizhny Novgorod, where technical support and backup aircraft can be more easily arranged.
The immediate challenge, however, is to increase output. Russia’s long-term production plans anticipate increasing the annual production of the MC-21 to several dozen aircraft, moving away from the small quantities associated with prototype and pre-series manufacturing.
India Emerges as the Next Big Market
The MC-21 story is no longer confined to Russia. The aircraft is currently being actively promoted by Moscow in India, which is one of the world’s fastest-growing aeronautical markets.
The United Aircraft Corporation announced on September 9 that the MC-21, SJ-100, and Il-114-300 would be on display at INNOPROM.India in New Delhi. The three aircraft were presented by UAC as a prospective Russian package for India’s aviation industry, with the MC-21 being positioned for the country’s busiest trunk routes. The company also emphasized the potential for localization of production and after-sales support.
The numbers being discussed are potentially significant. Alexander Vedyakhin, the First Deputy Chairman of Sberbank, stated that Russian aviation officials anticipate a prospective demand for 100 to 200 aircraft from Indian airlines. He stated that discussions are currently underway with Indian stakeholders and that the MC-21 is scheduled for promotion in the Indian market.
It is crucial to note that this is a potential demand, not a confirmed order. No Indian airline has yet to announce the acquisition of the MC-21. The aircraft would initially require certification, airline evaluation, commercial negotiations, and the establishment of a sufficient support network in order to establish itself.
Russia Sees More Than Aircraft Sales
The Indian strategy could also extend beyond simply exporting completed aircraft. Localization, production cooperation, and after-sales support have been the subject of discussions between Russian officials and UAC as part of a more comprehensive industrial partnership.
This approach is already being pursued with the smaller SJ-100. UAC says it has agreed to more than 80% of a licensing arrangement with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for cooperation on the aircraft and hopes to move toward a contract with an Indian operator at Aero India 2027.
Should Indian demand develop, the MC-21 may ultimately follow a comparable trajectory. Russia would gain access to a substantial commercial aviation market through this arrangement, while India could potentially acquire an additional option for the supply of narrow-body aircraft and industrial collaboration.
A Test for Russia’s Civil Aviation Revival
The MC-21 therefore faces two tests at the same time. The first is technical: the completion of certification and the demonstration that the aircraft that is heavily import-substituted can meet the necessary standards. The second is industrial: illustrating that Irkutsk is capable of transitioning from the production of individual aircraft to the maintenance of a consistent high-volume production rate.
A third test is added by India to determine whether the aircraft can be accepted beyond its domestic market.
If the components are successfully integrated, the MC-21 could shift from Russia’s flagship domestic airliner to a major competitor in a strategically important and rapidly expanding global aviation market.