Russia tests prototype of new agricultural aircraft amid heavy criticism of the project
The fifth prototype of the light multipurpose aircraft LMS-901 Baikal completed its first ten-minute flight at the airfield of the Ural Works of Civil Aviation on 22 February 2026. The aircraft is intended to replace the legendary Antonov An-2, widely known as the agricultural aircraft.
According to the manufacturer, the aircraft—equipped with the Russian VK-800 engine and AV-901 propeller—climbed to an altitude of 300 metres and reached a speed of 190 km/h. Developers modified the nose section of the cockpit and upgraded the landing gear in an effort to address technical shortcomings identified during earlier testing phases of the troubled project.
Despite reports of a successful flight, the Baikal remains one of the most criticised projects in Russia’s aviation industry due to persistent delays and failure to meet declared performance requirements. The programme, funded by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, was meant to replace the Soviet-era An-2. However, over nine years of development, its cost has multiplied several times.
Even figures considered loyal to the regime, including Honoured Pilot of the USSR Oleg Smirnov, have described the aircraft as unsuitable for everyday operations and accused its designers of wasting billions in state funds on what he called a “showpiece toy.”
Experts cite the LMS-901’s limited passenger capacity, high price, and inability to fully replace the An-2 on challenging regional routes as its main drawbacks. Although the aircraft is advertised as a nine-seater with a range of up to 1,500 km, its real operational performance remains in doubt, particularly due to difficulties in serial production of the VK-800 engine.
Most analysts believe that another test flight will not save the project from what appears to be a de facto failure, as Russia has yet to produce a simple and efficient aircraft for small regional aviation.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service forecasts that by 2030 Russia may be forced to withdraw at least 340 civilian aircraft from service due to international sanctions.
