Rostec Equipment Now Supports Communications for Two-Thirds of Russia's Aircraft Fleet
Companies within the Rostec State Corporation have successfully deployed domestic communications technologies that have replaced foreign aviation connectivity solutions.
Reliable communications are critical across many industries, particularly in civil aviation, where continuous data exchange between aircraft and ground services is essential for safe flight operations. For many years, this infrastructure relied on foreign equipment and software. Over the past several years, however, Russia has been actively replacing those technologies with domestically developed alternatives.
Keeping Aircraft and Ground Systems Connected
Companies within Rostec (State Corporation Rostec) are responsible for providing communications infrastructure for aircraft operating through Russia's airports. Today, domestically developed technologies support more than 70% of the country's commercial aircraft fleet. More than 30 million messages are transmitted each year through Russia's ACARS air-to-ground communications system. The technology is powered by hardware and software developed by Azimut, a Rostec subsidiary.
The system provides continuous exchange of operational information between aircraft and ground services. Air-to-ground data links allow real-time transmission of aircraft telemetry to airline operations control centres. The digital communications network also enables flight crews to receive weather updates, operational information, and flight instructions, including during abnormal or emergency situations.
Major Carriers Already Onboard
Service operations are provided by Infokom-Avia, which relies on the domestic technology platform to support major carriers including Aeroflot, S7 Airlines (Sibir), and Belavia. Rostec also noted that the domestic replacement technologies were developed in close cooperation with airline representatives. That collaborative approach ensured the new technical platform matched current operational requirements across the market.
Development Continues
"Development of the system continues. A Digital Automatic Terminal Information Service (D-ATIS) has already been deployed on the ACARS platform. Digital Departure Clearance (DCL) and Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) services are currently undergoing operational evaluation," Rostec's press office said.
Russia's commercial aviation sector has now largely eliminated its dependence on foreign communications service providers. Rather than replacing isolated components, Rostec companies rebuilt the communications ecosystem as an integrated platform. As these technologies continue demonstrating their reliability in operational service, they could also attract interest in international markets. Their export potential has already been demonstrated, with Belarusian carrier Belavia using the Russian-developed communications solutions.
Import Substitution Successfully Completed
Foreign providers stopped supplying ACARS services in Russia at the end of March 2022 following the introduction of international sanctions. Development of domestic replacement technologies began immediately afterward.
In 2023, Infokom-Avia and Azimut announced that the required communications equipment had been successfully developed. Deployment at airports also began that year. At the time, the rollout plan called for installation of 105 ground stations.
Large-scale commercial operation followed soon afterward. During 2024 alone, Russian-developed ACARS technologies handled more than 28 million operational messages exchanged between airline operations control centres and aircraft.
In August 2025, Russia announced the launch of a domestic D-ATIS service delivering digital meteorological and aeronautical information directly to flight crews. Trials were conducted at Moscow Vnukovo, St Petersburg Pulkovo, and Samara Kurumoch airports with participation from Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, and S7 Airlines (Sibir).
Russia has therefore established a fully functional communications platform for its civil aviation sector while continuing to introduce increasingly advanced digital services. In addition to strengthening independence from foreign technology providers, these developments create opportunities to export domestically developed aviation communications technologies in the future.
