Sovremennik Vladimir Solovyev arrived at the Ural factory manufacturing the controversial aircraft "Baikal". Photos available.
Vladimir Solovyev, the tv host, visited the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) and shared the experience on his social media. He interacted with the management and workers, and watched the test flights of the LMS-901 "Baikal" and UTС-800. "You've taught these planes to fly. What a beauty!" read his post from the book of honorable guests.
[Photos: UZGA Press Service]
The Baikal project faced uncertainty earlier when Vice-Premier Yuri Trutnev hinted at its closure, but the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance refuted these claims. They confirmed that UZGA would continue working on the Baikal project according to a contract signed in April 2025. The new governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast, Denis Pasler, reiterated the commitment to finishing the Ural-made Baikal plane by end of 2026.
UZGA started developing the Baikal aircraft in 2019 with plans to initiate series production in 2024 and deliveries in 2025. However, the deadlines were pushed back.
In March 2025, UZGA assembled the first three domestic aircraft, but the engine is yet to be locally-produced. In May 2025, the head of Rosaviаution, Dmitry Yadrov, visited UZGA. He saw the engine-testing station and the assembly of the high-thrust engine. Later, he inspected the flights of the second experimental prototype of the Baikal, which has been under production for six years with controversies.
Six Years of Promises: The Chronicle of the Uncompleted Import-Substituting Baikal Aircraft
- Despite Trutnev suggesting the closure of the Baikal project, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance denied this information. They stated that UZGA would continue development of the Baikal project as per a contract from April 2025. Pasler promised that the Ural-made Baikal plane would be built on time - by the end of 2026.*UZGA started working on the Baikal aircraft in 2019, aiming to replace aging aircraft models[1].
- In 2025 (April 9), a state contract was signed with UZGA for the implementation of the Research and Development (R&D) program for the Baikal aircraft, including manufacturing new and existing prototypes of the VK-800SM engine and AV-901 propeller, performing certification work, and preparing documentation for type certificates[1].
- By mid-2025, the program was reported to be on schedule, with ongoing efforts to integrate the domestic engine and adapt software for the onboard complex[1].
- By 2026-2027, plans are in place to replace over 200 aging single-engine aircraft with the new Baikal models[3].
Current Status
The project is moving forward as per the schedule established by the state contract, with ongoing work to integrate the VK-800SM engine and other domestic components[1]. Significant progress has been made in adjusting design documentation for engine integration and preparing for certification processes[1].
Future Plans
Focus is on manufacturing prototypes, conducting certification work, and obtaining necessary approvals for the new aircraft and its components[1]. UZGA aims to address the aging fleet issue by producing five aircraft per year starting in 2026-2027[3].
[Photos: UZGA Press Service]
The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance refuted claims of closing the Baikal project and confirmed that UZGA continues developing the aircraft, as per a contract signed in April 2025. In the aerospace industry, the Baikal project, a product of UZGA, is a significant financial investment for the Russian finance sector, aiming to replace aging aircraft models with the Ural-made Baikal by the end of 2026.
