Russia to end An-148 aircraft production due to lack of Ukrainian cooperation

Russia is set to cease production of the An-148 short-range transport aircraft following the completion of the final two units at the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO). The decision stems from the inability to continue manufacturing the Antonov-designed aircraft without cooperation from Ukraine.

Production of the An-148 in Voronezh was conducted under license from Ukraine. Tensions between Russian and Ukrainian manufacturers escalated following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, leading to delivery delays and a breakdown in industrial cooperation. While the Russian Ministry of Defense had previously expressed interest in using the An-148 to replace aging Tu-154 and Tu-134 fleets, the lack of Ukrainian partnership has effectively ended the aircraft's future in Russia.