Military eyes potential uses for Baikal
LMS-901 Baikal light multipurpose aircraft. (Baikal Engineering)
The successor to the An-2 light multipurpose aircraft could find favour with the Russian MoD when it is equipped with an indigenous engine.
Flight tests of the LMS-901 Baikal light multipurpose aircraft are scheduled to begin in Russia before the end of 2021, after a prototype was seen for the first time during the MAKS-2021 aviation show near Moscow.
Deliveries to customers are scheduled to begin in 2023.
Baikal will replace the outdated but still widely used Antonov An-2, which first appeared in 1947 and remains in Russian military use. However, the main role for Baikal will be to improve accessibility in remote Russian regions with missions such as cargo transport, search and rescue and pilot training.
Baikal-Engineering LLC (a subsidiary of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff]()
Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin also urged caution over a “drone-tastic” way of thinking when it comes to their use alongside traditional air and underwater domain platforms.
-
![Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss]()
Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss
In July 2025 Teal Drones was awarded Tranche 2 of the US Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
-
![Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped]()
Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said the decision to discontinue discussions on the fighter training detachment was mutually agreed with the US.
-
![India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals]()
India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals
With US tariffs and stalled defence talks slowing imports, India has cleared a $3.4 billion plan for 87 tri‑service MALE UAVs with 60% indigenous content – accelerating self‑reliance as operational lessons from May’s four‑day conflict drive urgency.
-
![Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF]()
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
-
![Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade]()
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.
