At the end of 2012, the UAC group member Irkut plans to deliver the first MS-21 machines. This was announced by Denis Manturov, Minister of Economy of the Russian Federation. The premiere unit is to be handed over to Aeroflot.

The Irkut MS-21 has been newly developed as a medium-haul jet. Depending on the design, between 150 and 230 passengers should be able to be carried. The project is thus also the Russian answer to the A320 series and the B737 family. In terms of firm orders, however, the UAC cannot keep up with its western competitors, because so far there are only 162 firm orders. With the exception of orders from Egypt and Azerbaijan, all customers are from the Russian Federation.