St. Petersburg-based Klimov Company started development of next-generation production engine TV7-117SM for light military-transport aircraft Il-112, ITAR-TASS reports with reference to CEO of the company, Alexander Vatagin. 

"We have received the performance specification for this engine, which assumes its further development in compliance with the program for development of the transport aircraft for Russian air forces", - he said.

Vatagin stated that the new engine matches its foreign analogues in terms of overall performance; moreover, some of its parameters are even better compared to the analogues.

"The engine features modular design, which allows decreasing cost of maintenance and time needed to repair it. This engine is one of the most fuel-efficient ones in its class, it offers low emission level and the highest power-to-weight ratio (2500 h.p.) in its class", - the CEO added noting that “engines for other advanced aircraft may be derived from TV7-117SM”.

Il-112 is a light transport aircraft, which is being developed in Russia. It should replace An-24 and An-26 aircraft. Military-transport version of the aircraft was developed for airlift delivery and paradrop of units of Russian airborne forces as well as cargo transportation. The jet may be operated from unpaved runways. According to Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian air forces need several tens of aircraft of the type.