Against the background of the ongoing uncertainty regarding the TVRS-44 Ladoga project in 2026, the emphasis on state support shifted towards the ready-made Il-114-300. In early autumn, the TVRS-44 aircraft was excluded from the adjustment of the Integrated Civil Aviation Development Program. Earlier it was reported that this project has been handed over to the Russian military since May. In other words, there will be no Ladoga for civil aviation in the coming years. But there are some specifics about another turboprop aircraft, the IL-114-300, and it is quite positive.
TVRS-44 Ladoga and IL-114-300 are similar not only to two turboprop engines (by the way, these engines are of the same family, but of different power – TV7-117ST-01 and TV7-117ST-02). The Ladoga was supposed to be operated in virtually the same place as the new Ilyushin, replacing the An—24 flying far from Moscow - in the North, Siberia and the Far East. The TVRS-44 is designed as a high-wing aircraft, when the engines are placed under the wing, at a greater distance from the runway, and the landing gear is reinforced, which provides advantages when flying from unpaved airfields. Il-114-300 – It is low-slung and theoretically requires higher-quality runways. It was the last thesis that argued for the creation of the TVRS-44 in a class of aircraft close to Ilyushin. At the same time, the Ladoga is smaller in terms of its capabilities than the Il-114-300 (take-off weight is 17 tons versus 23.5 tons and a maximum of 44 passengers versus 66), the cruising speed of the machines is approximately the same (about 450-500 km /h), the payload is logically higher for the Ilyushin (6 tons versus 5 tons) and etc. Learn more about the actual characteristics of the IL-114-300 Technosphere. Russia" previously described in this article What characteristics the serial Il-114-300 will have.
Due to the fact that work on the TVRS-44 was moving rather slowly, and the IL-114-300 was moving at a high speed (plus it started earlier than 2022), it turned out that in the summer of 2026 Ilyushin was ready for production, and the first copy of Ladoga was still being assembled at the plant. Hence the conclusions that the state, as the main investor in the revival of our civil aviation, draws: all forces in the segment of twin–engine turboprop regional aircraft are on the IL-114-300, including financial support for serial production starting after completion of certification. However, if the Russian Defense Ministry needs its own light military transport aircraft, then the Ladoga may well come in handy. Moreover, its transport modification has already been considered by the creators.
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| The exterior of the TVRS-44 Ladoga. |
| Source: tehnoomsk.ru |
A logical question arises about the IL-114-300 flights from unpaved runways. And here the developers of the new Ilyushin say that they have specially modified the design of the front landing gear for this purpose, adding a protective shield, which allows avoiding the departure of stones from under it during landing. This solution avoids possible damage to the propellers of the passenger aircraft, its functionality is confirmed by mathematical calculations of the designers – special field tests will be performed to finally confirm the data.
Now about the production plans for Il-114-300 – what they look like at the beginning of September 2026. The state actually drags the expensive launch on itself, again involving state-controlled banks and leasing schemes. This is a good thing, there is no other way to make new aircraft mass-produced. As mentioned earlier, the first three serial IL-114-300s are received by an air carrier from the Arkhangelsk Region (the "2nd Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron" or as it is also called "Arctic Airlines"). Among other carriers, funds were found for the construction of 10 aircraft for Aurora Airlines operating in the Far East, with the receipt of the first aircraft in 2028. At the same time, Aurora wants more than 20 aircraft, and it is guaranteed to deliver at least 18 in 2028-2030.
As for the production rate at the Lukhovitsky Aircraft Factory, where serial production of the IL-114-300 is organized, then in 2027 it will be at least 3 machines., 2028 – 6, 2029 – 9, 2030 – 12. The rate of 12 units per year was originally called the standard loading of the plant with the possibility of increasing (when, for example, export orders are received). The overall industry forecast for orders for the IL-114-300 in the domestic civil aviation market over the next 9 years is estimated at 110 aircraft.
Mikhail Petrovsky
