The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) in Russia has approved a Tu-214 modified with domestic-made systems and components which were designed to replace those sourced through foreign production.
On December 27, 2025, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) confirmed that a domestically produced suite of avionics and components, including advanced safety systems, has received a Certificate of Approval for a Major Change to the Standard Design.
News that the modifications comply with Federal Air Transport Agency requirements opens the door for serial production and delivery to Russian airlines.
Eight Tupolev Tu-214 planes will be built in 2026, followed by 12 in 2027, and then from 2028 production with rise to 20 a year.
Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov said that the approval will pave the way for the domestically produced products to be installed on other aircraft models.
Interfax reported that 17 foreign systems onboard the Tu-214 were replaced, including the aircraft’s weather radar and airborne collision warning and avoidance system made solely by Honeywell.
“Our colleagues have essentially developed a new, cutting-edge avionics suite. Our aircraft designers also created the first unique domestic air collision avoidance and ground proximity warning systems. A single company produces these systems for the global aircraft industry, and we have overcome their global monopoly,” said Alikhanov.
He added: “Now, these proven systems will be installed on other aircraft models. The new Tu-214 represents another step toward technological sovereignty in civil aviation, and we are not resting on our laurels.”
The Tupolev assembly line in Kazan was expected to complete four Tu-214 aircraft in 2025 but a shortage of engineers and skilled workers hampered efforts.
“The Tu-214 flying testbed, following modifications as part of the import substitution program, completed its maiden flight in November 2024. Further development flights were conducted, and in February 2025, the aircraft began a program of additional certification tests, which were successfully completed,” said a spokesperson for UAC.
Last week saw the (long overdue?) maiden flight of the new Tupolev Tu 214 airliner.
Is it me, or does it look about 40 years out of date? I’m getting Boeing 757 vibes!😂😂 pic.twitter.com/sLdUzsB5PR— Trev Clark’s Obscure Aviation History 🚁 (@clark_aviation) December 20, 2025
The first Tu-214 was introduced in 1996 with Vnukovo Airlines but has seen limited production since. The Tu-214 program was revised in 2022 to place foreign-made systems and components due to Western sanctions introduced after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The sanctions drastically reduced Russia’s access to Boeing and Airbus aircraft and the parts needed to service them.
The Tu-214 is a modernized version of a Soviet-era design, the Tu-204. The Tu-214 can carry up to 210 passengers,
