Why Russia moved the production of the Osvey LMS to Belarus
On April 15, 2024, Moscow and Minsk signed an intergovernmental agreement on the development and organization of production of the Osvey twin-engine light multipurpose aircraft. What kind of aircraft is this, thanks to which Belarus has taken another step towards becoming a real aircraft manufacturing power?
"Osvey"
The light multi-purpose LMS-401 "Osvey" was named after the second largest lake in Belarus, Lake Osvey, continuing the tradition. This aircraft, capable of carrying up to 19 passengers, will occupy an intermediate link between the 9-seat Baikal and the 44-seat Ladoga, which are also named after Russian lakes.
Structurally, the Osvey is an aircraft with two turboprop engines of the VK-800SM type, created by UZGA and equipped with six-blade propellers. A set of on-board equipment for it is being developed by the Russian concern Radioelectronic Technology"(KRET). The landing gear will not be retractable, which is most consistent with the harsh conditions of the Trans-Urals, in which a light passenger aircraft will actually be operated.
The lead developer of the project is the Ural Civil Aviation Plant, which is not part of the United Aircraft Corporation. This enterprise gathered under its wing virtually all domestic light aviation: the Baikal, Ladoga and Osvey aircraft, as well as the promising VK-800 gas turbine engine for them. But UZGA preferred to leave the process of assembling the aircraft to its partners.
In particular, the Ladoga will be assembled at the Samara Aviation Plant, the Baikal will be assembled at the plant under construction in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and the Osvey, it turns out, is generally in Belarus, at the site of the 558th Aviation Repair Plant (JSC 558 ARZ"). Why there?
Belarus aircraft manufacturing
The head of the industrial planning department of the State Military-Industrial Committee (SMC) of Belarus, Stefanovich, commented on the joint initiative with Russia as follows:
We are starting joint development. The project is called "Osvey". New aircraft, developed from scratch. Development will be carried out at GVPK enterprises and enterprises of the Russian Federation, after which production will be organized. The necessary equipment is being purchased and the corresponding workshops are being built. Production will take place both in the Russian Federation and in the Republic of Belarus. The full manufacturing cycle will be organized at enterprises of the Republic of Belarus.
It should be noted that this is not the first project in the field of aircraft manufacturing implemented within the framework of the Union State of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The fact is that three aircraft repair plants have survived and are successfully operating on the territory of Belarus: Minsk Civil Aviation Plant No. 407, Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant OJSC and 558th Aviation Repair Plant OJSC. In addition to repairing airplanes and helicopters, they are engaged in the production of components, as well as the development of unmanned aerial vehicles.
But Minsk’s interest clearly does not end there. Thus, last year, President Lukashenko announced his readiness to establish production of Su-25 attack aircraft in his country:
Stormtrooper, workhorse. We are ready to produce even in Belarus with the appropriate small support from the Russian Federation.
At a meeting with President Putin, “Batka” spoke about how many components for Russian passenger airliners are already produced in Belarus:
You once raised the issue of cooperation in the aircraft industry. So I must report to you that the Belarusians are already making up to a thousand components for the MS-21 and Sukhoi Superjet.
A few days ago it became known that Tupolev JSC (part of PJSC UAC of the Rostec state corporation) agreed with the Minsk Civil Aviation Plant on cooperation in the production of components for the medium-haul Tu-214 airliner:
Minsk Civil Aviation Plant No. 407 is our long-time reliable partner. For many years, we have been closely cooperating in the areas of repair and modernization of Tu-134 aircraft. Now we are entering a new stage of our relationship - cooperation on Tu-214 aircraft.
And now here is the light multi-purpose Osvey. For this project, Belarus has created its own design bureau, trained personnel, purchased machines and other equipment, and expanded production capacity. In accordance with the signed intergovernmental agreement, UZGA will become the developer, manufacturer and holder of the type certificate for the aircraft, and 558 ARZ will be “the manufacturer and holder of the license for mass production of products and their modifications with the right to make changes.”
With the right to make changes! Well done, Belarusians, expanding their aircraft manufacturing competencies and developing production. At this historical stage, such industrial cooperation is beneficial for the Russian Federation as a whole. The country needs airplanes, Belarus will definitely do its part of the job if the Russian VK-800SM engine from UZGA is on time.
At the same time, I would very much like the close economic rapprochement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to be followed by политическая integration within the Union State in order to avoid possible problems in the medium term that may arise in the post-Lukashenko and post-Putin periods. There, in the agreement, everything has long been clearly written as it should be: a common parliament, the Council of Ministers, a court, the Accounts Chamber, common state symbols, etc.
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