30 July 2010
Kommersant reported this morning that Russia is considering replacing Motor Sich (UX: MSICH UK) D-436-148 engines with Russian Saturn and French Snecma-made SaM146 engines for the An-148 project. Russia’s Voronezh Aviation Plant reportedly has until September 25 to comparing the technical characteristics of the competing engines. The An-148 regional jet aircraft is a high-wing monoplane with two turbofan jet engines. Yegor Samusenko: Russia’s move is largely expected; it has invested ~USD 2 bln in this engine, originally designed for the An-148 competitor, Sukhoi Superjet 100. However, the entire Sukhoi Superjet 100 project is being delayed due to certification problems with its engine, the same one now being discussed for the An-148. We believe the Saturn/Snecma engine will be certified, but be more expensive and less efficient than Motor Sich’s engine. Thus we think Motor Sich engines will be used for at least 75% of the engines for the An-148 and An-158 airplanes (which would increase Motor Sich’s sales by 1/4 until 2015).