Overview
- The Industry and Trade Ministry, together with UAC and UEC under Rostec, is considering launching experimental design work to replace SaM146 engines with PD-8s on in-service Superjet-100s.
- The ministry reports no technical barriers because a Superjet configured with PD-8 is already in certification testing following its first flight on March 17, 2025.
- Key questions on who funds and carries out specific retrofits remain unresolved and require coordination with the Transport Ministry, Rosaviatsiya, and airline operators.
- Rostec says modifications to the airframes will be needed and calls for an assessment of cost-effectiveness, including carriers’ readiness to allocate funds.
- Officials underscore preserving the current Superjet fleet, which carries up to about 9% of domestic passengers, and regulators say major operators are interested in the PD-8 path.