First Be-200 Intended for Russian Navy Takes Flight

Beriev’s latest Be-200 is painted in Navy colors, but there is some doubt as to whether the type has been ordered by the defense ministry.

Bort (side number) 20 wore standard Russian navy markings for its February 14 first flight. (Photo: UAC)

By Vladimir Karnozov

February 19, 2020

The first Beriev Be-200 twin-engine amphibian built to a specification from the Russian navy has entered trials. It commenced flying on February 14 from the aerodrome of Beriev’s Aeronautical Complex in Taganrog (local acronym TANTK), a member of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). This aircraft is a derivative of the Be-200ChS factory standard intended for search-and-rescue (SAR) missions with the added capability of firefighting.

After completion of factory and customer acceptance trials, the aircraft will be handed over to the Russian navy, according to a recent UAC press statement. The Russian defense ministry signed a contract for six aircraft in 2013, only to nullify it four years later through a court ruling over the customer’s dispute with industry. There is no information concerning the MoD placing another order for the type. In all likelihood, the recently flown example might be used as a technology demonstrator in an effort to win both domestic and foreign orders for a military version of the Be-200.

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