Vitaly Naryshkin's lifelong passion steers Russia's MS-21 jet to takeoff

Vitaly Naryshkin has shaped modern Russian aviation for decades. His career began with a childhood fascination for aircraft design, inspired by a book about industry pioneers. Today, he serves as the chief designer of the MS-21, a role he has held since 2008. Naryshkin joined the Yakovlev Design Bureau after graduating. He first worked in the design department before moving to the general types division. The bureau was known for its compact size and strong focus on weight efficiency in aircraft development.

His early work included the Yak-130, a training and combat aircraft. Under his involvement, the project advanced through flight tests and entered production at two factories. In 2008, he took on the role of chief designer for the MS-21, a position he still holds.

The MS-21 programme has reached significant milestones. In November, the aircraft completed a non-stop flight from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky for certification tests. Serial production is already underway at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, part of the United Aircraft Corporation. Certification is expected to finish next year, paving the way for deliveries to airlines.

Naryshkin has spoken against excessive competition within the industry. He acknowledges that rivalry between design bureaus, like Mikoyan and Sukhoi during the Soviet era, once drove progress in military aviation. However, he argues that such competition is no longer productive. The MS-21 is nearing the end of its certification process. Once approved, the aircraft will begin commercial deliveries to airlines. Naryshkin’s long-standing leadership continues to guide the project through its final stages.