Irkutsk Aviation Plant Starts MC-21 Serial Production Targeting 36 Jets a Year

The Irkutsk Aviation Plant (IAZ) has transitioned to the serial production of the MC-21 medium-haul airliner. Currently, 18 aircraft are in various stages of assembly, with four nearly ready for flight. The plant aims to scale production to 36 aircraft per year. The manufacturing process follows a linear sequence: the fuselage sections are first formed from panels and joined into a single airframe. Once the fuselage is complete, the landing gear and composite wings are attached. The final stage takes place in the final assembly shop, where technicians install the domestically produced PD-14 engines, onboard electronics, and control systems. Production now relies on a network of Russian suppliers to replace foreign components. The supply chain includes: