Russia’s project to develop light utility aircraft Baikal will continue to advance and will be implemented, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov told reporters.

"All the final decisions have been made. […] This project will continue to evolve and will be carried out," Manturov emphasized.

According to him, significant changes have been made to the aircraft. "I believe the decision taken by the Ministry of Industry and Trade was absolutely correct and well-considered," Manturov said.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev had previously stated that the Baikal aircraft project had reached an impasse and that production was not expected.

However, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has emphasized that the effectiveness of improvements to the Baikal light aircraft has been confirmed, and that research and development efforts on the project will continue.