The testing of first An-148 intended for Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has been completed by VASO. The jet (tail number 61718) intended for the MoD performed its maiden flight on September 12th 2013 after a number of ground tests, press-service of VASO reports. 

«The functionality of all the aircraft systems was checked during 6 flights. The first stage of the test program has been completed. According to the director of An-148 program at VASO, Igor Abramov, the flight testing has been completed successfully. The next stage of the testing will be started in early October; six flights will be performed in the network of pre-delivery tests», - the press-service noted.  

This is the fourth aircraft assembled by VASO in 2013; it is a passenger aircraft seating 75 passengers. It is planned to manufacture two more An-148s this year: one of them will be delivered to the MoD and another one – to Federal Security Service (FSB). 

We remind you that Russian MoD singed a contract with UAC in May 2013 for delivery of 15 An-148 aircraft during period from 2013 to 2017. Four jets should be delivered to the customer in 2014. The total value of this contract is 18 billion rubles. The contract was signed thanks to the Presidential Decree signed in early 2013. The decree defines VASO as the only supplier of An-148 aircraft in Russia, thus the airframer was able to skip the time-consuming tender procedure and decrease the time required for expansion of the MoD’s fleet. 

As of today VASO secured orders for 16 An-148 regional jets, the company noted.