Russia's transport ministry is presenting a legislative proposal to withdraw subsidies intended for the Ilyushin Il-96-400M program and redirect them to other areas of the country's aviation industry.
The “current lack of a potential customer” for the Il-96-400M poses a risk regarding the subsidy, according to the bill drafted by the country's politicians. So far, there are no interested parties in the modernized version of the IL-96, much less in the military part of the country.
On the other hand, UAC itself is moving towards a different solution, creating a new generation aircraft, the CR929, in partnership with China.
In total, the country should allocate around US$ 2020 million in 181 for the development of the IL-96, but this budget may have a commitment involving 60 to 90% of the amount, which may be reallocated to other programs, such as the regional jet SSJ100.
The consequence of withdrawing subsidies from an aircraft under development is logically the delay of the entire program.
The Il-96-400M is a "fully modernized" version, based on the IL-96-400, and represents Russia's bet on the large aircraft segment, while the CR929 project is still under development.
The new aircraft should enter the market between 2020 and 2022, according to the UAC, and can accommodate up to 402 seats inside. Highlight for the new bins, which refer to the Boeing 787, and the interior completely outside the Russian standard, with the air outlet in the seats.
However, with the current stage of assembly of the first prototype, the first flight should take place in mid-2021, according to Ilyushin. Ground tests will start in the 4th quarter of 2020.
For the time being, the IL-96-400M will be equipped with four Aviadvigatel PS-90A1 engines, capable of producing 38300 lbs of thrust. These engines are modernized, and with the highest thrust capacity in the family.
