The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to deliver the modernized An-2 with the VK-800 engine from 2028

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade is ready to begin deliveries of a completely updated An-2 aircraft, better known as the “maize truck”, in 2028, with a new VK-800 engine, the certification of which is still ongoing. Deputy Prime Minister and Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) Yuri Trutnev stated this at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), TASS reports.

According to him, from 2027 the department promises to begin deliveries of the modernized An-2 with the old engine, in order to move on to installing a new one in a year, which should be ready by then.

The An-2 aircraft was developed in the 1940s and its first flight took place almost 80 years ago. In the Soviet Union, the machine was operated on local air lines, used for aviation chemical work, landing amateur parachutists and many other purposes.

It was assumed that the “Kukuruznik” would be replaced by the “Baikal” aircraft developed by the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA), but its certification and production are still delayed. Meanwhile, the existing fleet of An-2 aircraft is gradually breaking down due to difficulties with repairs and a shortage of parts.

“You know, I can’t say that I think this solution is ideal, because it’s a little disappointing that we flew the An-2 for 60-80 years and are courageously returning to it again,” admitted Trutnev. Nevertheless, he emphasized, “while our wonderful aircraft designers cannot offer us anything other than the An-2,” we need to fly with what we have.