EADS signed a memorandum of understanding at last week's ILA 2002 show in Berlin with Russia's Irkutsk Aircraft Production Organisation (IAPO) to produce a joint marketing plan for the Beriev Be-200 amphibian.
It follows an agreement, which was signed in December 2000 by EADS and Russian aerospace agency Rosaviacosmos.
Rainer Hertrich, EADS co-chief executive, says EADS wants to strengthen ties with Russia and is working through potential joint projects. "The Be-200 has clear market potential and we will evaluate how we can work with Irkutsk to exploit that," he says.
The initial agreement covers marketing, certification, logistics and access to public sector customers through EADS's Military Transport Aircraft Division. It could be extended to joint production.
Hertrich says the aircraft was developed to MChS Russian emergency ministry requirements, and modifications may be necessary to meet the needs of the Western market, where the Be-200 is likely to sell for $25-30 million. EADS sees markets in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.
Changes are likely to include replacing the ZMKB Progress D-436TP engine. IAPO held talks at the air show with Rolls-Royce on the BR700 family. "Choice of engines depends on the customer," says IAPO chairman, Aleksei Fiodorov.
The Be-200 is being developed for humanitarian roles and negotiations are taking place for a proposed United Nations emergency response squadron, says Fiodorov. IAPO is optimistic that orders for the fire-fighting variant will come from Australia, he adds.
Source: Flight International
