Russia Initiates Domestic Production of Substitute Spare Parts for Boeing and Airbus Fleets

In a significant development for the aviation industry, Russia has announced plans to manufacture domestic replacement parts for Boeing and Airbus aircraft. This move, as reported by Izvestia, a prominent Russian newspaper, defies international regulations and raises serious safety concerns.

The initiative involves collaboration between Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, and Aeroflot, the national airline. Together, they aim to produce a range of aircraft components, including lighting systems and fire-fighting equipment, as detailed in a report by The Politico.

The decision to embark on domestic production stems from the crippling sanctions imposed on Russia due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions have severed the Russian aviation sector’s access to genuine spare parts, propelling it towards self-reliance.

This shift became urgently necessary following a tragic incident near Moscow involving a Sukhoi Superjet 100, which resulted in the deaths of all three crew members onboard. The aircraft, while Russian-designed, depends heavily on Western components, highlighting the challenges Russia faces in sourcing sanctioned parts.

In reaction to the sanctions, Russia has resorted to extreme measures, including the retention of approximately 400 leased Western aircraft. According to Andrew Charlton, managing director of Aviation Advocacy consultancy, the use of non-approved domestically produced parts could ban Russian aircraft from European skies, regardless of sanctions.

Despite the risks, Moscow is pushing forward with its manufacturing plans. Izvestia notes that Rosatom has already produced 50 locks for luggage and cargo compartments specifically for Aeroflot’s Airbus A320/321s equipped with container loading systems.

The situation is exacerbated by the limited access to Western parts and expertise, leading to operational challenges such as the grounding of several aircraft by S7 Airlines, Russia’s largest private airline, due to technical issues.

While Rosaviatsiya, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, reports a decrease in aircraft incidents in 2023, independent media like the Moscow Times and Novaya Gazeta Europe suggest otherwise, indicating a worrying trend.

The use of these locally-manufactured spare parts carries implications not only for domestic flights but also for international operations to destinations in Türkiye, the Gulf, and several Asian countries. “Russian aircraft continue to frequent busy airports and crowded airspace worldwide. Flying with potentially counterfeit parts is inherently risky,” Charlton adds, highlighting a significant global safety concern.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, euromaidanpress.com