Russia's MS-21 aircraft enters serial production ahead of 2025 certification

Serial production of the MS-21 has begun at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, part of the United Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft recently completed a non-stop flight from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky as part of its certification tests. Completion of the certification process is expected next year. The MS-21 programme is led by chief designer Vitaly Naryshkin. His fascination with aviation began in childhood after reading a book on the subject. After graduating, he joined the Yakovlev Design Bureau, an organisation once renowned for its high standards in aircraft weight management.

At Yakovlev, Naryshkin contributed to multiple projects, including the Yak-130, before taking on the role of MS-21 chief designer in 2008. While the MS-21 incorporates some developments from the earlier Yak-242 project, it is not a direct evolution of that design.

The Soviet era saw intense competition between design bureaus like Yakovlev, which produced aircraft such as the Tu-154 and Yak-42. These models matched or exceeded global standards at the time. Such rivalry often drove innovation but also came with drawbacks. The MS-21 is now in serial production, with certification on track for next year. The project reflects Russia’s ongoing commitment to its domestic aircraft industry. The country continues to demonstrate that a national aviation sector remains within reach for independent development.