Russia is investing 19.7 billion rubles to develop a scaled-down version of the MS-21-210 aircraft.
A new contract between the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Yakovlev Corporation aims to optimize the weight and range of the MS-21 aircraft through the creation of the more compact MS-21-210 variant.
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has officially signed a contract worth 19.7 billion rubles with the Yakovlev Group for the research and development of the MS-21-210, a shortened variant of the MS-21 civilian aircraft. This is a strategic effort to overcome the limitations in flight range arising from the localization of components after Western partners withdrew from the project.
Optimizing design and engineering performance.
The MS-21-210 model is designed to be more compact than the standard MS-21-310 version. The main goal of the project is to improve flight range by reducing the weight of the engine support structure and optimizing the integrated cable network system. According to information from the Russian government's bidding portal, the entire research and development process for the first prototype must be completed before the end of 2028.
The CEO of the state-owned Rostec technology corporation, Sergei Chemezov, said that this scaled-down version will have a capacity ranging from 160 to 170 passengers. Adjusting the size of the aircraft is considered an urgent solution to ensure efficient operation, given that imported replacement parts significantly increase the overall weight of the aircraft.
Challenges arising from import substitution
The original MS-21-310 prototype was developed through extensive international cooperation. However, sanctions forced Russia to become completely self-reliant in terms of technology. This process resulted in the domestic version being heavier than expected, reducing its range from 5,100 km to approximately 3,830 km for the 175-passenger configuration.
First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov stated that the launch of the short-body version is a necessary step to regain the advantage in operating range. Previously, the MS-21 series was planned with three variants: MS-21-200 (150 seats), MS-21-300 (180 seats), and MS-21-400 (210 seats). Although design documents for the other versions were completed in 2021, the current focus is on the MS-21-210 to meet the practical requirements of the domestic aviation market.
Mass production roadmap
According to plan, the MS-21-310 basic version will begin mass production in 2027 after the completion of final testing. Rostec Corporation expects to reach a production rate of 36 MS-21s per year by 2030, marking the complete independence of the Russian aviation industry from foreign narrow-body aircraft.
Expected specifications for the MS-21 aircraft
| Parameter | MS-21-310 (Standard) | MS-21-210 (Abbreviated) |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger capacity | 175 - 211 seats | 160 - 170 seats |
| Expected flight range | ~3,830 km (after localization) | Improvement over 4,000 km |
| Prototype completion time | Tested | 2028 |
The MS-21-210 project is not just a technical adjustment, but also demonstrates the adaptability of the Russian defense and aviation industries in the face of international technological barriers.