One of the aircraft that was included in the program of a record renewal of the Russian fleet until 2030 was the Tu-214. The aircraft is manufactured at the S.P. Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant, a branch of PJSC Tupolev (part of the Rostec United Aircraft Corporation). We are figuring out how the "two hundred and fourteenth" will help domestic air carriers to wait for the mass release of the MS-21 and SSJ-NEW. There are no sanctions without good
In order to develop normally, any industry, in addition to all other components – new technologies, modernization of production, young personnel, etc. − needs constant orders in the required volumes. This is especially true for such complex areas as civil aviation, where long chains of suppliers and hundreds of participants are involved. Such an industry cannot develop on piece orders, it needs long-term plans, full-fledged loading at all stages. And, of course, we need a healthy competitive environment.
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| The cabin of the Tu-214. |
| Source: United Aircraft Corporation |
Despite the negative impact of sanctions and the violation of international air links, there is a situation in the domestic aviation market today that contributes to the growth of the domestic aircraft industry. Recall that in connection with the sanctions in 2022, deliveries to Russia of aircraft of the largest manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, and components for them were suspended, the companies stopped maintenance and support of Russian air carriers. Restrictions have been introduced for Russian airlines, some aircraft are blocked abroad.
It must be said that the Russian aviation industry has been experiencing sanctions pressure for several years. Prior to that, such large projects with foreign participation as the MS-21 and SSJ 100 were affected, for which import-substituted elements were promptly developed.
Russian planes are gaining altitude
The first news about what is planned to replace foreign Boeing and Airbus began to arrive in the spring of 2022. First of all, these are, of course, the newest flagships MS-21, SSJ-NEW and IL-114. In addition, in April, at a meeting on the development of air transportation and aircraft construction with the participation of the President of the country, an existing program was announced, on which hope is pinned – Tu-214. At the same time, it was announced that capacity would be increased and 20 aircraft of this model would be put into production.
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| MS-21. |
| Source: United Aircraft Corporation |
And finally, in September 2022, it was announced that the Aeroflot group of companies − the largest Russian air carrier – will receive 339 domestic aircraft by 2030: 210 MS-21 aircraft, 89 SSJ-NEW aircraft and 40 Tu-214. The corresponding agreement between Aeroflot and Rostec United Aircraft Corporation was signed on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. This renewal of the domestic fleet will be the largest in the recent history of the country.
And if the preparation for the serial production of the MS-21 and the import-substituted Superjet is only underway, then the Tu-214 is already being produced in small batches and has proven itself well in operation.
Tu-214: from special to civilian
The Tu-214 is a medium–haul narrow-body aircraft with a capacity of up to 210 passengers. He first took to the sky in 1996. This is a fully domestic aircraft with high flight performance characteristics that meets all modern requirements of air transportation. Unlike the basic Tu-204 model, the maximum take-off weight (up to 110.75 tons) and the maximum commercial load (up to 25.2 tons) have increased. In addition, the flight range has also increased – depending on the layout and configuration, the Tu-214 can fly up to 8,500 km.
Today, Tu-214 aircraft are used on airlines, including as part of the special flight detachment "Russia", aviation of government departments, for example, the Ministry of Defense of Russia. Programs are being implemented to create various modifications of the aircraft to solve special tasks. For example, on the basis of the Tu-214, in the joint work of Tupolev and the Vega Concern, Tu-214ON aircraft were developed that took part in the international Open Skies program.
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| Tu-214. |
| Source: Papas Dos / wikimedia.org |
An important nuance is that the Tu-214 is equipped from the very beginning with domestic PS-90A aircraft engines, which are developed and manufactured by the enterprises of UEC-Perm Motors of the United Engine Corporation Rostec. These are proven and reliable power plants, the improvement of which continues.
According to the agreements, the first Tu-214 will be delivered to Aeroflot in 2024. Thanks to such orders, the civil aircraft industry in Russia for the first time in the last three decades receives such wide opportunities for development, for the application of invaluable knowledge of the domestic design school. And, as it happened before, the aircraft industry, like a locomotive, will pull up other areas of industry, the social sphere, education, etc.
