Russian aircraft manufacturer NPK Irkut is prioritising securing a co-operation agreement with Airbus to support development of an indigenous MS-21 next-generation narrowbody aircraft family.
The MS-21 is a short- to medium-range twinjet proposed as a replacement for the Tupolev Tu-154, which comprises the backbone of the country's passenger fleet.
The Yakovlev bureau, which is 75%-owned by Irkut, carries out design work on the type, jointly with Ilyushin design bureau. The project features in Russia's federal programme for the development of civil aviation with around Rb3 billion ($11.5 million) from state funding earmarked as a seed money.
Irkut president Oleg Demchenko says the company is talking to Airbus in an effort to work out an agreement to co-operate on the MS-21, envisaging a risk-sharing arrangement as a viable option.
The aircraft is designed to fill demand in the same segment as the Airbus A319/A320. "The overriding concept is to develop it to the highest modern standards," says Demchenko. "This necessitates tapping foreign know-how and engineering expertise. Teaming up with Airbus would be a major step in furthering our co-operation that is already developing in a number of areas."
Irkut hopes to finalise talks with Airbus before the Moscow air show in late August. "We place great hopes on their successful outcome," says Demchenko, adding: "We'll have to commit to launching the MS-21 project all on our own, only if we fail to reach such an agreement."
Source: Flight International
