Rostec has released a video showcasing the maiden flight of its import-substituted SJ-100 aircraft. The state corporation shared the footage on its official Telegram channel, marking a significant milestone in domestic aviation.
The accompanying post stated that the aircraft is equipped with Russian PD-8 engines, crucial for the nation`s aviation autonomy. “The airframe`s structure also underwent extensive modifications. This was necessary for the seamless integration of Russian-made systems, as well as to streamline the manufacturing process and simplify the ongoing maintenance of the aircraft,” the state corporation clarified, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the import substitution program.
Earlier, Rostec had announced the initial flight of the import-substituted SJ-100. The specific aircraft, bearing the registration number 97004, which was manufactured using current production technologies, successfully took off from the airfield in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, demonstrating its capabilities.
In March, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, speaking at a meeting of the presidium of the Council of Legislators of the Russian Federation, stated that the first flights of other key import-substituted passenger aircraft, the MC-21 and the SJ-100, are anticipated to occur in the first half of 2025, underscoring the ongoing progress in modernizing the national air fleet.
Rupert Blackwood 
Barnaby Whitfield