Russia Certifies Il-114-300 Turboprop and PD-8 Engine

The Federal Air Transport Agency of the Russian Federation (Rosaviatsiya) has officially granted type certificates for the Ilyushin Il-114-300 regional turboprop and the PD-8 turbofan engine, clearing both domestic programs for commercial serial production.

The certifications, announced on June 5, 2026, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), mark a critical milestone in Russia’s mandate to achieve aviation independence and import substitution following Western sanctions. According to a press release from Rostec State Corporation, the parent company of both United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and United Engine Corporation (UEC), the approvals remove major constraints for multiple domestic aircraft programs.

Advancing the Il-114-300 turboprop program

The Il-114-300 is the first transport-category turboprop to receive certification in Russia in more than two decades. Designed by the Ilyushin Aviation Complex (JSC Il) and manufactured at the Lukhovitsy Aircraft Plant, the Commercial-Aircraft features a basic layout accommodating 66 passengers.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov stated that Rostec enterprises executed a deep modernization of the aircraft’s systems.

“The aircraft is designed in a basic layout with 66 seats. It is equipped with new Russian turboprop engines, modern avionics, a digital flight and navigation system and an ergonomic passenger cabin interior,” Manturov said, according to reporting by Oreanda-News.

Three mass-produced Il-114-300 airliners are currently at various stages of completion at the Lukhovitsy facility. During the SPIEF event, the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK) signed an agreement to lease these initial three production aircraft to the 2nd Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron, also known as Arctic Airlines. Deliveries are expected in late 2026, with the carrier planning to utilize the turboprops for regional passenger flights, cargo transport, and medical rescue operations.

PD-8 engine certification unlocks Superjet production

The Certification of the PD-8 turbofan engine, developed and manufactured by UEC-Saturn, resolves a primary bottleneck for the Yakovlev SJ-100 (Superjet) program. The SJ-100 is undergoing a reconfiguration to utilize fully domestic components, with the PD-8 replacing the Franco-Russian PowerJet SaM146 engine. RuAviation reports that the PD-8 will also replace the Ukrainian-supplied D-436TP engines on the Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft.

Prior to certification, the PD-8 accumulated 6,500 running hours during extensive flight and bench testing. The engine provides eight tons of takeoff thrust. Rostec highlighted the domestic engineering effort behind the powerplant, noting that 25 domestic materials and technologies were utilized during the design stage, including 17 created exclusively for the PD-8 program.

Production timelines and international interest

While initial deliveries of the Il-114-300 are slated for late 2026, production rates will take time to scale. Manturov cautioned that shipments might face a temporary decline due to a disconnect between the contracting and certification processes, before rhythmically increasing in volume starting in 2028.

Beyond domestic operators, the newly certified aircraft are generating international interest. UAC Director General Vadim Badekha noted that Indian carriers have expressed demand for up to 200 Russian-made aircraft to support regional connectivity initiatives, specifically citing the SJ-100 and Il-114-300, according to ANI News.

AirPro News analysis

We view the dual certification of the Il-114-300 and the PD-8 engine as a technical necessity for the Russian aerospace sector, which has been entirely cut off from Western supply chains, maintenance support, and engine components. The PD-8 approval is particularly critical. Without a domestically produced turbofan, the SJ-100 program would remain stalled, leaving Russian airlines without a viable regional jet replacement as their existing Western fleets age and face parts shortages.

Achieving type certification is only the first hurdle. The transition from prototype testing to reliable, high-volume serial production remains a significant industrial challenge. The acknowledgment of a potential delivery dip before 2028 suggests that UAC and UEC are still establishing the necessary domestic supply chain depth to support sustained Manufacturing rates.

Sources: Rostec State Corporation