Airbus will completely abandon Russian titanium

Airbus has said it will "stop depending" on titanium supplies from Russia for several months, but is still buying "a certain percentage of Russian titanium" for the time being. The head of the company, Michael Schoellhorn, indicated that the company is currently "in the process of breaking" ties with Moscow.

“I can’t tell you the exact date, it’s a relatively complicated process with certification and everything else that is required in aviation, but it will happen”, - Schoellhorn is quoted by Reuters as saying.

Russia is the largest producer of titanium. It is mainly used in aircraft engines and landing gear for large airliners. Titanium, in particular, was used for military helicopters NH90 and Tiger. One of the world's largest titanium producers is VSMPO-Avisma.

On March 7, the American corporation Boeing announced the suspension of titanium purchases in Russia and closed engineering offices in Kiev and Moscow.

It's worth reminding that in April, Airbus urged Western countries not to impose sanctions against Russian titanium. However, already at that time the concern was in search of alternative supplies. Previously, the company purchased up to 60% of titanium in the Russian Federation for the construction of its aircraft.