Support The Moscow Times!

Russia to Spend $4.6Bln on New MS-21 Passenger Airliner

SINGAPORE — Russia will spend 164 billion rubles ($4.6 billion) to develop and produce its MS-21 medium-range passenger aircraft, a government official said Thursday.

The MS-21, currently in development, is designed to carry between 150 and 212 passengers and is expected to make its maiden flight in 2015 with first deliveries due in 2017.

"The cost of the whole project is 164 billion rubles, which comprises an equal share of state funds and private investments," said Andrei Boginsky, who heads the aviation construction department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Boginsky said the budget includes expenditure on R&D work, procurement of components and production of the aircraft.

The MS-21 is intended to replace all models of the outdated Tu-154 and Tu-134 aircraft, as well as the Yak-42 in Russia.

The plane will be produced in three versions — MS-21-200, which carries 150 passengers, MS-21-300, with a capacity of 180 passengers, and MS-21-400, which can hold 212 passengers.

It will be Russia's first plane with components made of carbon fiber. The new technology can save 25 percent in fuel and 15 percent in maintenance costs, as well as reduce harm to the environment, according to the designers.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more