Russian state technology firm Rostec’s chief, Sergei Chemezov, has stated that the fully-substituted version of the Yakovlev MC-21 will carry out its first flight in August.

“I hope that, by the end of 2026, we will complete certification flights and begin serial production of our aircraft,” he told Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin during a progress meeting.

Chemezov added that 14 fuselages are “almost ready” – with nine in “the finalisation stage” – at the Irkutsk aviation plant where the MC-21 is assembled.

Flight tests are already being conducted with a partially-substituted MC-21, fitted with a number of domestically-built systems including Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines.

“In August, a fully import-substituted aircraft will take off,” said Chemezov.

He stated that other large airframers – such as Airbus and Boeing – are able to rely on international partners for components.

“We are forced to everything ourselves,” he told Mishustin. “That’s how it was in the Soviet Union – we are forced, in general, to return to this practice.”

The Yakovlev SJ-100 – a substituted version of the Superjet 100 – is undergoing certification tests, with production set to begin next year, and Chemezov said the Ilyushin Il-114-300 is in “the same situation”.

He added that maintenance support, including timely delivery of spares, is important.

“We encountered this problem when the first Superjet – not yet import-substituted – started being delivered to airlines,” said Chemezov. “There were quite big problems. There were complaints from airlines.”

But the company has established eight servicing points, he added, and will have 15 by 2030 – and 50 if those of airlines are taken into account.

“We will provide service and supply spare parts on time,” he told Mishustin, stating that an aftersales system, Kupol, has been set up to handle the Superjet, MC-21 and Il-114 as well as PD-14 and PD-8 engines.