On October 5, Russia's minister of industry and trade, Denis Manturov, visited the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO) plant in Voronezh where he was updated about the llyushin Ⅱ-112V lightweight military transport aircraft. The first Ⅱ-112V carried out its maiden flight on March 30, 2019. Further flights were suspended - officially due to the renovation of the runway in Voronezh and the need to lighten the weight of the aircraft. The second flight was then promised for autumn 2019, then for spring 2020. However, it was not until September 2020 that the aircraft was painted in the colours of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), with tactical number '01' and registration RF-41400, appearing to show the conversion phase had been completed. The aircraft was towed out of the production hall to the airfield, where final preparations are under way. As of late October, the Ⅱ-112V '01' had not yet flown. According to an earlier statement from the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), "the weight of the first aircraft will be reduced by up to one tonne" before it begins further trials. Manturov said the modifications have led to a reduction of "almost 800kg".
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