Russia Approves Tu-214 Production Plan to Build 20 Jets a Year
Russia has approved large-scale serial production of the upgraded Tupolev Tu-214, marking a major step in its plan to expand domestically built commercial aircraft as access to Western jets remains restricted. The program is being led by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), with deliveries expected to support Russian airlines including Aeroflot.
The Tu-214 is produced at facilities operated by the Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO). After years of limited output, production is now set to scale steadily, with UAC targeting an annual rate of up to 20 aircraft by the end of 2027. The Kazan plant is undergoing modernization to support higher volumes and more efficient serial manufacturing.
A key enabler of the ramp-up is certification approval from Rosaviatsia, which has cleared major design changes to the Tu-214. These upgrades replace foreign-supplied components with Russian-built systems under a broader import-substitution strategy. Test flights using a dedicated prototype began in November last year to validate the new configuration.
The aircraft is powered by Aviadvigatel PS-90A engines and now features domestically produced avionics, collision-avoidance systems, and ground-proximity warning equipment. Regulators have also approved a Russian-made equivalent to ACAS, following evaluations alongside foreign hardware. These systems are expected to carry over to other domestic programs, including the Yakovlev MC-21-310, the SJ-100, and the Ilyushin Il-114-300.
Designed as a medium-haul airliner with seating for up to 210 passengers, the Tu-214 traces its roots to the Tu-204 family, which first flew in 1996. Built in Kazan rather than Ulyanovsk, the Tu-214 features a different door layout and higher maximum takeoff weight, allowing additional fuel capacity and structural reinforcement. These attributes have made it a preferred platform for special-mission variants, some reportedly capable of non-stop ranges approaching 10,000 kilometers.
Russian officials say serial production will create skilled jobs, strengthen regional economies, and rebuild national aerospace capability. While the Tu-214 once competed directly with Western narrowbody and mid-size jets, its renewed role is now firmly domestic. As certification of parallel programs progresses, the Tu-214 is positioned as a cornerstone of Russia’s effort to reconstitute a largely self-sufficient civil aviation fleet through the end of the decade.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com