Introducing the Tupolev Tu-454: Russia unveils new long-haul aircraft competitor
April 12, 2026
At the 20th Russian Venture Forum in Kazan, Russia’s United Aircraft Company Tupolev presented the Tu-454, a new long-range civilian airliner that the company hopes to produce.
On its telegram feed, the company said that several officials visited the company’s stand, including Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov and Aid to the President of the Russian Federation, Andrei Fursenko. The project was also presented to the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan (a part of Russia) Rustam Minnikhanov, by Kirill Aseev, deputy chief designer of Tupolev.
www1.ru suggests that the project is meant to be an attempt by Tupolev to produce a competitor to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and Airbus’ A350 lines. Others, including Teschnosphere Russia says the aircraft is akin to a “Boeing 767-400 or Boeing 787.”
Introducing the Tu-454
Very few details are known about the company’s new widebody jet. The timeline, current status and specifications are seemingly under wraps. A report byTeschnosphere Russia suggests that the aircraft type has not appeared in UAC official documents before, but was teased as an option in a slide published by the United Engine Corporation.
As it stands, Tupolev is focused on the production of its flagship narrowbody jet, the Tu-214. It produces no other civilian aircraft today.
Alexey Shadanov, project manager at JSC Tupolev said the following regarding the event in Kazan: “We are focused on our primary objective—scaling up serial production of the Tu-214. At the same time, our design team’s work to improve this aircraft and develop new designs and technologies never ceases.”
The comments were published on UAC’s telegram.
“We collaborate with leading industry institutes and research centres, taking into account all global trends. This forms an important foundation of the Tupolev school.”
Development of PD-26 engines
According to the slides produced by United Engine Corporation, the new Tu-454 is to be powered by PD-26 engines. This same power-plant is to be fitted onto a new heavy military aircraft as well.
A little bit more is known about the engine power-plant relative to the new aircraft. The PD-26 was unveiled in 2025 and is meant to be a new high-thrust aircraft engine with testing of the demonstrator having already begun.
It is based on the same technology as the company’s PD-35 – so it is not completely new. It features a modular unified core generator and some new technology and material including ceramic composites and an active blade cooling system.
It is expected to be produced by 2030.
Tupolev’s current Tu-214 line
Tupolev is still focused on its short-range line of Tu-214s which have had a rocky history. It was meant to deliver the first aircraft in 2024, but this did not happen and testing is still ongoing.
At the end of last year, Russia granted a type certificate to the Tu-214 made with fully Russian parts. The project received a much-needed boost in February this year when the S7 Group signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to order 100 Tu-214s.
Beyond the Tu-214, Russian civilian aircraft maintenance and manufacturing efforts have been made to restore retired aircraft amid sanctions, including the much-older Tu-204 that were introduced in 1999.
Featured image: United Aircraft Corporation
