Image source: topwar.ru
As noted in the German edition of Flug Revue, the Be-200, a unique amphibious aircraft, "is on the verge of a possible revival." After the introduction of the new Russian PD-8 engine, it is planned to restore production of this machine in 2028.:
It is indicated that since its appearance on the equipment of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in 2003, the Be-200 has been manufactured in small quantities. One of the reasons for this was the dependence on the D-436TP engines produced in Ukraine. After 2014, their supplies to the Russian Federation were stopped, and production was stopped.
The PD-8 was originally developed for the Superjet SJ-100. It is currently in the testing stage, and from 2028 it is planned to be used on the Be-200. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, research on amphibian remotorization is already underway, and its mass production may begin in 3 years.
However, according to the German author, the transition to PD-8 will require not only technical adjustments, but also modernization of production facilities in Taganrog. Currently, "only one or two Be-200s per year" are produced here:
Image source: topwar.ru
As noted in the German press, the serial production of the PD-8 can significantly improve the export potential of the Be-200, which has every prospect of becoming a major player in the field of firefighting aviation.:
