The Russian Federation plans to increase the production of TU-214 aircraft: what does this mean in military terms

To spread: Deputy Head of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov has declared its intention to prove the rate of production of medium-scale passenger aircraft TU-214 to 20 units a year. According to him, the appropriate level is planned to be reached by 2027-2028, that is, to produce from one to two aircraft every month. "We plan to produce these planes, if not ten, at least two dozen by 2027-2028," Manturov said, without specifying whether it is only about TU-214, or also SSJ-100 and MC-21.

This statement has become of particular importance in the light of recent initiatives in Russia to adapt civilian aircraft to military needs. At the beginning of June 2025, a discussion of the concept of "mobilization rocket launcher" began in the defensive circles of the Russian Federation-the conversion of TU-214 into a platform for launching cruise missiles X-101 or X-22.

This idea is considered as a temporary solution against the background of significant losses of strategic bombers such as Tu-95MC and Tu-160, and the lack of opportunity to quickly restore the park of these machines. Theoretically, the TU-214 can carry up to 25 tons of amount of amount and have a flight range of more than 7000 km.

The aircraft has already been used in special modifications-TU-214R (radio intelligence) and TU-214on (for missions under the Open Sky Treaty), but such versions were made alone. Therefore, the ability to turn TU-214 into a missile carrier is considered as a way of creating a "backup" shock-to-use means. However, the current rates of production of the TI-214 demonstrate a clear mismatch to the stated goals.

In 2023, the "Kazan Aviation Production Association named after SP Gorbunov" (Kapo), the only plant that produces these planes, did not create a single board, despite the plan in three machines. The highest degree of readiness was the special board for state needs, but it was not possible to complete. In 2024, the company rolled only one TU-214 (RA-64535), which made the first flight and was sent to Belarus for painting.

In other words, Kapo has released one plane in a year, and now it is expected to increase production rates 20 times over four years - which means an increase of 2000%. Such ambitions in the conditions of sanctions, shortage of components and personnel look extremely unrealistic. Thus, Monturov's words about the prospects of TU-214, at least today, can be considered as a characteristic statement by a Russian official, designed for an internal audience.