UAC to build 43 MC-21s from 2021-2023

By December 2, 2019 January 16th, 2020 General News

Airline customers will receive six MC-21 airliners in 2021, 12 in 2022 and 25 in 2023, stated advisor to United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) President Yuri Slyusar and former head of Aeroflot Valery Okulov at a media briefing at the upper house of the Russian Parliament last week. Okulov further said that the manufacturing site in Irkutsk would work to capacity, making 72 airframes annually, starting in 2025. He also outlined plans for the Sukhoi SSJ100 fleet growth, from 155 in 2019 to 185 next year and 215 in 2021.

UAC has not decided how many deliverable MC-21s will come installed with the indigenous PD-14 turbofans. The manufacturer is letting the airlines decide this matter. The other choice of powerplant is the US-supplied Pratt & Whitney PW1400G. But in a recent review of US sanctions against the Russian military-industrial complex, the Kremlin has asked UAC to reconsider its approach, with more focus on indigenous options. This will likely mean that airlines will be encouraged to select the PD-14 option with possible financial incentives. A potential move that will serve to reduce political risks and any exposure to US export restriction measures.