Jet crash prompts speculation over Russia’s import substitution drive

Last Friday, a Russian Sukhoi Superjet (SSJ) 100 passenger aircraft crashed near Moscow, killing all three crew members on board. The plane was flying to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after having undergone repair work. First developed in the 2000s, the model never took off with airlines either abroad or at home. The Russian-made jet has historically used some Western components, but under sanctions Moscow has been forced to source new parts and has touted a multi-billion dollar import substitution plan for the plane.